Delaware middle schooler wins President’s Volunteer Service Award

Delaware is receiving some national attention, thanks to an eighth-grader from Millsboro Middle School.

President Obama awarded Briar Gibbs with a President’s Volunteer Service Award for his outstanding volunteer service. The award recognizes Americans of all ages who have volunteered significant amounts of time to serve their communities and their country. 

Sponsored by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the Prudential Spirit of Community program presented the accolade on behalf of the President.

“The recipients of these awards vividly demonstrate that young people across America are making remarkable contributions to the health and vitality of their communities,” said John R. Strangfeld, chairman and CEO of Prudential Financial. “In recognizing these students and placing a spotlight on their volunteer service activities, we hope to motivate others to consider how they can also contribute to their community.”

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Gibbs, of Millsboro, has completed a number of volunteer projects with his church youth group, including raising money for the World Vision Project. The 14-year-old participated in a 30-hour famine project in which students fasted to experience hunger. He also worked with other students to raise money to feed three children from a third-world country for one year. Gibbs’ other community service activities include cleaning his church, assisting elderly residents in their homes, participating in Habitat for Humanity projects and visiting nursing homes.

“Demonstrating civic responsibility through community volunteerism is an important part of life,” said NAASP Executive Director JoAnn Bartoletti. “These honorees practice a lesson we hope all young people, as well as adults, will emulate.”

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