The First Annual Campolindo Volunteer Service Awards were held on May 27 in the Performing Arts Center at Campolindo High School. This year a total of 127 students received awards for volunteer service to dozens of organizations, including Special Olympics, John Muir Hospital, Lawrence Hall of Science, Shelter Inc., and Foster A Dream, in addition to many more. Mission trips to the East Coast to rebuild after Hurricane Sandy and to Mexico to build homes were other paths to service that students pursued in earning their awards.
To receive recognition, each student volunteered between 25 to 250 hours over a 12-month time period. Collectively, Campolindo students earning awards this year served a grand total of over 13,000 hours. Students who served between 50 and 250 hours received national recognition and were honored with either Bronze, Silver, or Gold President's Volunteer Service Awards, which are given by the federal government to thank and honor Americans who by their demonstrated commitment and example inspire others to engage in volunteer service. At the awards ceremony, Campolindo Associate Principal Sharon Bartlett quoted Gandhi in reflecting upon the value of the students' service: "The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." She also thanked Campolindo parent Patti Ringlee for establishing this awards recognition program at Campolindo. Next year, Campolindo students will again be able to apply for these awards to receive recognition for their hours of volunteer service.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA