"Money couldn't buy what we did down here," said Nick, a volunteer with Master's Commission.

The 40-member team from Master's Commission received a Gold award for 1,800 hours of volunteer service in New Orleans.

NEW ORLEANS - In celebration of National Volunteer Week, April 15-21, Operation Blessing presented 36 teams with the President's Volunteer Service Award for their volunteer efforts during the past year.

Gold, silver and bronze awards were given to each team according to the number of hours volunteered in 2006 in the New Orleans-Slidell area.

Alex Brown, team leader for the Atlanta-based Master's Commission group, spent five days in Slidell, La., helping gut storm-damaged houses for Katrina victims with a 40-member team.

"I can't imagine anyone being more blessed than we were by the people we assisted while in New Orleans," Brown said.

During their stay, the members of Master's Commission logged 1,800 hours of volunteer work – qualifying them to receive a 'Gold' award. Awards are given based on the amount of hours worked: 1,000 hours or more receives Gold, between 500-999 hours receives Silver, and at least 200 hours nets a Bronze. A "President's Call to Service Award" is given for at least 4,000 hours of volunteering over a lifetime.

The award is issued by the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation, which President Bush founded in 2003 as a way to "recognize the valuable contributions volunteers are making in our Nation."

Along with a pin and personalized certificate, each team received letters from the Council and President Bush. According to the Council's website, more than 570,000 of the awards have been given out since the program's inception.

For the members of Master's Commission, however, the real payoff is more than receiving rewards or recognition.

"Money couldn't buy what we did down here," said Nick, a volunteer with Master's Commission. "Just being around the community, getting to see the people, hearing their stories and being a part of their lives... that's the best part for me."

Brown agrees.

"Our trip was about being reminded that when we live life for ourselves, we end up empty," he said. "But when we live life with a heart to serve others, then our lives are fulfilled. That's when we find purpose and completion."

HOW YOU CAN HELP
You can help by making an online donation toward OBI's disaster relief efforts. With your support, we can continue to provide emergency relief and recovery. Please make an on-line donation today.

 

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