KOREAN NET

The President's Volunteer Service Award (PVSA) ceremony took place in the Yi Sun-sin Hall at the Korean American Cultural Center of Michigan (KACCM) on Feb. 25. The ceremony began with a congratulatory address by Park Won-min, Editor-in-Chief of the local newspaper Michigan Today. Kwon Jeong-hui, President of the Korean American Community of Metro Detroit, presented the awards to 24 Korean-American students, including Choi Yu-min, a 16-year-old who practiced volunteer service of 258 hours. Moreover, Lee Min-hui, another 16-year-old who served 175.5 hours, received the community president's volunteer service award. Candidates qualified for the PVSA are limited to either U.S. citizens or legalized permanent residents. In a bid to boost the spirit of a volunteering and activities, the Korean American Community of Metro Detroit decided to present the community president's award to Korean nationals as well.

Lee Min-hui (16) receives a volunteer service award from the president of the Korean American Community of Metro Detroit

Park Chae-rin (15) takes a ceremonial photo with a volunteer service award

After the award presentation, Kim Se-ha, a 15-year-old high school sophomore attending the International Academy-West, gave an award acceptance speech. "I was able to hold firmly my identity as a Korean as I offered volunteer service for the Korean American community. I also had a great opportunity to experience Korean culture more," Kim said in her speech. "Volunteer service helped me find out who I am and I will strive on to serve so that Korean society and its culture can permeate further deep into American society."

Kim Se-ha (15) delivers an award acceptance speech

The PVSA is a U.S. civil award established to honor volunteers that give hundreds of hours per year helping others. The award is bestowed by the POTUS to those who has exerted positive influence to local communities and offer assistance to people in need. Also the award is granted to individuals, families, and organizations located throughout the U.S. Depending on the amount of service hours completed, individuals can receive bronze, silver and gold medals, and/or the President's Call to Service Award, also referred to the President's Lifetime Achievement Award. The application, which cannot be done by individuals, is possible through a certifying organizations designated by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) under the U.S. federal government. The Korean American Community of Metro Detroit was officially recognized as a certifying organization (permit number: 39723745) in 2010 to receive applications and screen criteria for the PVSA. The Detroit community implements such role twice a year for Korean Americans.

Volunteer groups affiliated to the Korean American Cultural Center of Michigan includes volunteering music band, samulnori (traditional Korean percussion) band called Woorisori, and an orchestra called B-Flat. Such groups are consisted of high school students and the orchestra is a newly organized group which is currently seeking more members. There is also a student volunteer group called the KACCM, which prohibits members of the music band from joining in an effort to give other students more opportunities to offer volunteer services. KACCM members have been focused on serving for Korean American events and some issues have occurred.

Volunteer service award recipients and members of Korean American community take ceremonial group photo on Feb. 25

The next deadline for PVSA application is June 30 and an award ceremony is scheduled to take place on Aug. 12. An event honoring National Liberation Day, marking Korea's independence from Japan's colonial rule on Aug. 15, 1945, will also be held along with the award ceremony. All PVSA application forms can be downloaded from an official website of the Korean American Community of Metro Detroit.

※ Official website of the Korean American Community of Metro Detroit : http://www.detroitkorea.com/xe15/PresidentialAwards
※ Official website of the President's Volunteer Service Award : https://presidentialserviceawards.gov/
※ Contact for joining the orchestra B-Flat : 224-209-9622 / kaccum.manager@gmail.com