Prudential Spirit-of-Community Awards

September 6, 2011 

Dear Friend, 

Once again, we're looking for young people across the country who have distinguished themselves through volunteer activities in their communities. And we need your help to find as many as possible by the beginning of November so that we can give them the recognition they deserve! 

The application period for the 17th year of The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards officially begins today and will conclude on November 1. To be considered, young people in grades 5-12 must complete an application online at spirit.prudential.com or www.nassp.org/spirit, and then submit it to a middle level or high school principal, Girl Scout council, county 4-H agent, American Red Cross chapter, YMCA or an affiliate of HandsOn Network. 

Local Honorees will be selected in early November, and nominated for state-level judging. Next February, one middle level and one high school student in each state and the District of Columbia will be chosen as State Honorees and will each receive $1,000, a silver medallion, and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. in May. A number of runners-up in each state will be awarded bronze medallions, and other top candidates will receive Certificates of Excellence. Each year, hundreds of applicants receive state-level recognition! 

The national recognition events for the 2012 awards program have been scheduled for May 5-8, 2012 in Washington, D.C. At that time, our National Selection Committee will name America’s top ten youth volunteers of the year. Each National Honoree will receive an additional $5,000, a gold medallion, a crystal trophy for display at his or her school or youth organization, and a $5,000 grant from The Prudential Foundation for a nonprofit, charitable organization of his or her choice. 

Here is an application instruction sheet, an informational flyer, and a press release. If you know of any young people who should be considered for a 2012 Prudential Spirit of Community Award, please encourage them to apply. And any help you can provide in publicizing this opportunity throughout your organization would be greatly appreciated. 

Sincerely,