PRESIDENT'S VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD

VAO | Vietnamese American Organization is one of thousands of certifying organizations that participate in the national PVSA program, which is administered by Americorps and Point of Light Foundation. We track volunteer hours and process PVSA applications for our volunteers. 

The Presidential Volunteer Service Award (PVSA) is a national honor offered in recognition of sustained volunteer service. The PVSA recognizes hours served within a 12-month period. As a certifying organization of the PVSA, our volunteers may apply to receive the PVSA through VAO. Recipients receive:

• an official lapel pin, coin, or medallion reflecting the Bronze, Silver, or Gold service level.
• a personalized certificate of achievement. (8.5x11 inch paper)
• a congratulatory letter signed by the President of the United States.

PVSA recipients will be recognized at our annual volunteer appreciation event during National Volunteer Week (coming soon).

PVSA recipients frequently include this honor on their resume and on college, scholarship, and job applications!

PVSA Volunteer Eligibility Requirements

1. Must be a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States (i.e., green card holder). 

2. The minimum age is five years old. 

3. Must complete eligible service within a 12-month period (for annual Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards) and over a lifetime (for Lifetime Achievement Awards) 

Eligible service is unpaid acts of volunteer service benefitting others with the following exceptions: 

• Service through National service programs that provide a stipend (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) may count towards the Lifetime Achievement Award*, but not for the annual Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards) 
• Travel stipends, transit/parking passes, membership passes, expense reimbursements, and other nominal volunteer support do not impact service eligibility 

Ineligible service includes 

• Donating funds 
• Political lobbying (Non-partisan voter registration is an eligible activity) 
• Religious instruction 
• Conducting worship service 
• Proselytizing 
• Volunteer service performed as part of court-ordered community service 
• Serving only family members

VAO Eligibility Requirements 

Volunteer and earn hours

Start volunteering and earn hours with VAO. Take a moment to explore our volunteer opportunities page if you haven't already, and join us for our upcoming activities or become a part of our team.

Volunteers are welcome to include volunteer hours from other nonprofit organizations or eligible activities when applying for our PVSA program. Just make sure that at least 50% of your total volunteer hours come from VAO, and any external hours need to be verified.

Hours Submission

We use POINTapp to track and approve hours for our volunteers & team members. All volunteer age of 13yrs or older must create account to submit volunteer hours.

Apply for PVSA Award:
You can apply for Award Levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold from January 1st to March 15th for the previous year.

For the lifetime award, you have the flexibility to request the PVSA Award at any time during the year.

Award Levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Lifetime

Individual active volunteer may apply to receive the PVSA. Award levels are determined by two criteria: the number of hours served, and the volunteer’s age as detailed in the chart below.

Awards Levels

*The age category is determined by the age the person was for at least 7 months within the 12-month calendar year. For example, if the person was 16 for 7 months within the year in question, that person would qualify within the 16-25 age group.