Gold Medals from President Biden
You are cordially invited to
Project: Return To Work Inc.’s (R2W’s)
26th Annual Awards Ceremony
May 7, 2024
2:00 – 4:00 PM
Hosted by
Heritage Oaks Assisted Living Center
7374 San Casa Drive
Englewood, FL 34224
RSVP
https://www.return2work.org/contact
720-359-1541
Gold Medal Winners
Click here for more information about the President’s Volunteer Service Awards
We have within our reach the promise of a renewed America. We can find meaning and reward by serving some higher purpose than ourselves, a shining purpose, the illumination of a Thousand Points of Light. And it is expressed by all who know the irresistible force of a child’s hand, of a friend who stands by you and stays there, a volunteer’s generous gesture, an idea that is simply right. President George HW Bush
Fern Ballou was a close friend of Fran Nixon, R2W Founder and has served both as a paid Chaplain and as a volunteer Director for several years. Fern and Fran’s church has also hosted several R2W Workshops over the years: First Church of Christ Scientists, Englewood, Florida. Fern currently serves as the Secretary of R2W’s Board of Directors and is a member of the Executive Committee and the Mentors Committee. At 94, she blasts through the age barrier effortlessly and is the cohesion for our charity. Her tirelessly commitment makes a meaningful difference. A lasting impact.
Shine on, Fern!
Return to Work Day of Caring Recruiting Event | FOX31 Denver (kdvr.com)
Deborah Henderson, CPA
R2W Volunteer CPA
Debbie Henderson was a close friend of Fran Nixon, R2W Founder, and has volunteered as R2W’s accountant for years. Thanks to Debbie, R2W has never missed a payroll, and the Board of Directors has always had timely and accurate financial documents for their management decisions. Debbie and Fern’s church has also hosted several R2W workshops over the years: First Church of Christ Scientists, Englewood, Florida. Debbie is a model volunteer whose leadership shines bright in our charitable cause, and we are deeply grateful.
R2W hosted another event for other gold medalists in Boulder, Colorado on February 24, 2024. Click here for details.
Employee of the Decade
Volunteer of the Year
Robert Bloxam
Sponsor Awards
“Gayleen Pratt donated the underlying technologies that have given R2W a competitive advantage for many years. She is from New Zealand and not eligible for the President’s Volunteer Service Awards but deserves all the respect we can muster. She is a brilliant light illuminating a loving spirit around the world, and I am deeply grateful.” Rob Brazell, Founder, Project: Return To Work Inc. (R2W)
Medals Presenter
Color Guard
Chaplains
check back soon for more details.
Agenda
Color Guard (Flag Presentation)
Opening Music & Prayer
Thanks To Host, Sponsors, & Donors
Who We Are
Awards Presentation & Speeches
Closing Prayer & Music
Previous Medals from Presidents Trump & Obama
Octogenarian Earns Lifetime Achievement Award
Fran Nixon remembered, helped 18,000 find work
By NANCY J. SEMON STAFF WRITER Sun News Apr 18, 2020
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ABOUT PROJECT: RETURN TO WORK INC. (R2W)
Back To Work, Back To Life
We All Serve
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About The President’s Volunteer Services Awards
The President’s Volunteer Service Award is a civil award bestowed by the President of the United States. Established by executive order by George W. Bush, the award was established to honor volunteers that give hundreds of hours per year helping others through the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation. The award can be granted to individuals, families and organizations located throughout the United States. Depending on the amount of service hours completed, individuals can receive the Bronze, Silver, Gold, and/or the President’s Call to Service Award (also referred to the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award).[1] The Call to Service Award is the most prestigious, and it has been awarded to few Americans to recognize over 4,000 hours of extraordinary service including notable honorees such as S. Truett Cathy, Mark Carman, and Zach Bonner. Awardees may receive a personalized certificate, an official pin, medallion, and/or a congratulatory letter from the President depending on the award earned.
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The President’s Volunteer Service Award is now an initiative of the Corporation for National and Community Service and the Points of Light Institute.[2]
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About Points Of Light
Points of Light is an international nonprofit, nonpartisan organization headquartered in Georgia, United States dedicated to engaging more people and resources in solving serious social problems through voluntary service.
Each year, Points of Light mobilizes millions of people through affiliates in approximately 250 cities and partnerships with thousands of nonprofits and companies.[1]
History
Points of Light was formed in 2007 by the merger of the Points of Light Foundation and Hands On Network. Encouraged by major donors and affiliates, the two organizations merged with the goal of strengthening volunteerism, streamlining costs and services and deepening impact.[2]
The Points of Light Foundation was created in 1990 as a nonprofit organization in Washington, D.C. to promote the spirit of volunteerism described by U.S. President George H. W. Bush in his 1989 inaugural address,[3] “I have spoken of a thousand points of light, of all the community organizations that are spread like stars throughout the Nation, doing good.”[4]
President Bush used the “thousand points of light” theme frequently,[3] including in his 1991 State of the Union address in which he said:
We have within our reach the promise of a renewed America. We can find meaning and reward by serving some higher purpose than ourselves, a shining purpose, the illumination of a Thousand Points of Light. And it is expressed by all who know the irresistible force of a child’s hand, of a friend who stands by you and stays there, a volunteer’s generous gesture, an idea that is simply right.[5]
In 1991 the National Volunteer Center, which had begun in 1970 as the National Center for Voluntary Action, was merged into it. The merged organization also became known during the 2000s as the Points of Light Foundation and Volunteer Center National Network.
The Foundation and its expanded network acted as community hubs to connect volunteers to opportunities, work with local nonprofits and businesses to establish and improve volunteer programs, and, overall, bolster the local infrastructure for the volunteering community.[3]
The Points of Light Foundation received an annual allocation from the Corporation for National and Community Service to manage some of that agency’s programs, and administered the President’s Volunteer Service Award program, which was created by President George W. Bush in 2003. The group also sponsored conferences, offered training and other assistance to its network of volunteer centers, and recognized volunteers through a Daily Point of Light award.[3]