President’s Volunteer Service Award (PVSA)

The President’s Volunteer Service Award is a prestigious civic honor bestowed by the President of the United States to individuals who have shown an exceptional commitment to volunteerism. Established in 2003, this award honors individuals who have demonstrated a sustained and dedicated commitment to volunteer service over the course of 12 months. Community service hours can be accumulated on a variety of projects and services throughout the year. The PVSA has been continuing to honor the volunteers who are using their time and talents to make positive impacts to the communities, the nation and inspires those around them to take action, too!

​Through Volunteer Service, students significantly help shape their lives as well as those of others. This has a long-term impact on the type of citizen they become and the type of community they help create.The PVSA is awarded annually at the Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels. For many, earning one or more awards will be a noteworthy honor on future college or scholarship applications. 

• Must be United States citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States (i.e., green card holder)
• Must be at least five years old
• Volunteer must complete eligible service within a 12-month period (for annual Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards) and over a lifetime (for Lifetime Achievement Awards)
• Volunteers must complete at least 40% hours of service with Heritage School of Performing Arts within the year they wish to be awarded. Ex: Rithika Saxena served 40 hours of volunteering service with Heritage School of Performing Arts out of the 100 hours needed for the Teen Gold PVSA within a 12-month period.

Unpaid acts of volunteer service benefiting others

• Volunteer service hours may be performed with or outside of Heritage School of Performing Arts projects.
• Services through Heritage School of Performing Arts includes but not limited to Cultural Performances (Ex. Singing, Dancing, Playing Instruments etc.), Organizing Events, Seminar and Workshops to promote Indian and Western culture  
• Act as a cultural ambassador to spearhead outreach initiatives, connect with peers, and enrich community life with the rich legacy of Indian arts and culture in the United States.

• 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

Volunteer Age                              Bronze           Silver              Gold

Kids (5 – 10)                                   26 – 49             50 – 74            75+

Teens (11 – 15)                             50 – 74             75 – 99            100+

Young Adults (16 – 25)              100 – 174        175 – 249       250+

Adults (26+)                                   100 – 249        250 – 499       500+

Bronze, Silver, and Gold Packages include:

• Customized certificate
• Choice of pin, coin, or medallion
• Congratulatory letter from the president

Volunteers may choose to receive only the certificate.

Lifetime Achievement Certificate package includes:

• Enlarged, personalized certificate
• Congratulatory letter from the President