Florida Legislative Spouses Put Their Passion Into Action, Receive Awards for Volunteer Service
 -->Legislative spouses accept the Florida Faithful Group Volunteer Service Award. Pictured are (left to right) Volunteer Florida CEO Wendy Spencer, House Speaker Marco Rubio, Jeanette Rubio, Governor Charlie Crist, Aileen Pruitt, Senate President Ken Pruitt, and Volunteer Florida Chairman Dave Ramsay.
“Put your passion into action,” said Aileen Pruitt, wife of Senate President Ken Pruitt. “Whether it is children, or elderly, or whatever your particular passion is, that’s what this is all about, putting your passion into action and helping other people.”
The Governor’s Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service, Volunteer Florida, awarded 49 legislative spouses, all of whom are committed volunteers, with the President’s Volunteer Service Award, the highest national honor offered in recognition of volunteer service. The Awards were presented at a ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda, Thursday, May 3.
 -->Governor Crist, legislative leaders and their spouses, and Volunteer Florida Commissioners and staff are ringed by media on the Florida Capitol’s fourth-floor rotunda as they accept their awards for volunteer service.
Volunteer Florida also recognized the spouses for their collective volunteer service. Spouses of state Senate and House legislators throughout Florida volunteered a total of 27,660 hours over the past year. As a result, Volunteer Florida honored legislative spouses with the Florida Faithful Volunteer Group Award.
“I encourage all Floridians to follow the example of Florida’s legislative spouses, and volunteer in their communities or neighborhoods,” said Governor Charlie Crist. “If everyone committed just a few hours a week for volunteering, Florida would be an even better place to live.”
The President’s Volunteer Service Award, modeled after the President’s Physical Fitness Award, is an award for volunteer service that every American – from every age and every walk of life – can aspire to achieve. To be eligible to receive the Award, individuals, families and groups submit a record of their annual volunteer service hours to participating organizations, such as Volunteer Florida, that will verify the service and deliver the Award. Award eligibility for individuals and groups is based upon hour requirements varying by age.
“Recipients of the President’s Volunteer Service Award are role models for all Americans,” said Volunteer Florida CEO Wendy Spencer. “Each volunteer hour contributed makes a difference in improving our quality of life. Through their extraordinary commitment to volunteering, these wives and husbands of our elected officials have shown true leadership.”
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The volunteers who received President’s Volunteer Service Award are:
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