CHARLESTON, W.Va. –The West Virginia Department of Education is seeking applications for the Community Leader Service Award. Launched in 2009, the award recognizes an individual, organization or business in West Virginia for exemplary work in parent, family and community partnerships with schools to increase student achievement.

“Children gain a great deal when adults and businesses volunteer their time and talent and share their resources with schools,” said state Superintendent of Schools Steve Paine. “A healthy dose of volunteerism is good for the school, the students, the community and the soul.”

About 380,000 West Virginia residents, one in four, dedicate 71.5 million hours volunteering every year, often as a coach, referee, tutor, teacher or mentor, according to Volunteering in America. Since 1989, the percentage of West Virginia volunteers in education has more than doubled from 9.8 percent to 25.5 percent.

The West Virginia Department of Education granted its first award Community Leader Service Award to the Jackson Kelly law firm because of its Education Elevators Program, an outreach program created in 2007 with Piedmont Elementary School in Charleston. As part of the Elevators Program, Jackson Kelly partners and employees work closely with the staff at Piedmont to support students one-on-one with academics, self-esteem and special interests.

“It is important to recognize those who work diligently to build strong partnerships between homes, schools and the community for the benefit of all children,” Paine said.

Nominations for the 2010 award will be accepted until April 1, 2010. A nomination packet is posted here.

For more information, contact Betsy Peterson at 304-558- 2696, or the Office of Communications at 304-558-2699.

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