Fairmount Elementary fourth graders, from left, Abigail Bearden, Aspen Stone, Emma Barnes, Savannah Stanley, Alea Johnson were recognized by Rep. Tom Graves, center, for volunteering between 50-74 hours each during a ceremony hosted by the City of Fairmount.
Receiving the Lifetime Award were former Fairmount City Councilman Tommy Crawford and his wife, Sarah, for having volunteered more than 4,000 hours each over the course of their life. Hannah Townsend received the Gold Award for having served more 500 volunteer hours. Jimmy Clark received the Bronze Award for volunteering more than 100 hours of community service.
Fairmount Police Officers Josh Ward, Adam Knight and Lt. Clyde Chitwood are in place to receive the Bronze Award. Police Chief Chuck Butler said the officers all volunteer in different public safety areas outside of their normal work schedules.
Also recognized were students from Fairmount Elementary for each volunteering 50-74 hours.
Graves said he started volunteering after seeing his father become involved in civic projects.
“He was a charter member of the volunteer fire department and I saw how a community came together to provide this service,” he recalled. “It led me to be passionate about being involved.”
Graves said when he later moved to Ranger, he was “volunteered” to be president of the Ranger Community Club and his role in public service took off as he was elected as a state representative and now as a Congressman.
The Presidential Service Awards were started by former President George Bush in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks to foster volunteerism. The Fairmount Police Department is the only certifying agency for the Presidential Service Awards in Gordon County. Children 14 and younger can receive a Bronze Aware for serving 50-74 hours, Silver for serving 75-99 hours, Gold for more than 100 hours and Lifetime for 4,000 hours or more of volunteering.
Young adults, ages 15-25 can receive the Bronze Award for 100-174 hours, Silver for 175-249 hours, Gold for 250 hours and Lifetime for 4,000 hours or more.
Adults, 25 years-old and up, can receive the Bronze Award for 100-249 hours, Silver for 250-499 hours, Gold for 500 or more hours, and Lifetime for 4,000 hours of volunteerism.
There is also a Families and Groups award for two or more people. They can receive the Bronze Award for 200-499 hours, Silver 500-999 hours, and Gold for 1,000 hours or more. There is no Lifetime Award option for families and groups.
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