TALLAHASSEE — Volunteer Florida CEO Chester Spellman today announced that 48 Florida mayors are participating in the first-ever Mayors Day of Recognition for National Service, a nationwide bipartisan effort to highlight the impact of national service in tackling city problems. Over 830 mayors across the U.S. are participating in the event.

“National service is a vital resource for our state,” said CEO Spellman. “AmeriCorps members and Senior Corps participants have a positive and lasting impact, making our cities better places to live.  I am grateful for their dedication, which is helping to make our state stronger, safer, and healthier.”

Given the many social needs facing communities – and the fiscal constraints facing government at all levels – mayors are increasingly turning to national service as a cost-effective strategy to meet city needs.  More than 18,000 people of all ages and backgrounds are helping to strengthen communities and increase civic engagement through national service in Florida. Serving at more than 1,900 locations throughout the state, these citizens tutor and mentor children, support veterans and military families, provide health services, restore the environment, respond to disasters, increase economic opportunity, and recruit and manage volunteers.

The Mayors Day of Recognition for National Service was conceived of by Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter, President of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, as a way to recognize the positive impact of national service in cities; to thank those who serve; and to encourage citizens to give back to their communities.  The day is sponsored by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the National League of Cities, and Cities of Service.”

“National service programs like AmeriCorps show the best of our cities – people turning toward problems instead of away and working together to find community solutions,” said Michael Sittig, Executive Director of the Florida League of Cities. “I applaud the Florida mayors who participated.”

The following Florida mayors showed their support of national service by issuing proclamations, participating in service projects, and other events.

Alvin Brown – Jacksonville
Tomas Regalado – Miami
Beth Talabisco – Tamarac
Craig Cates – Key West
Eula Clarke – Stuart
Ashton Hayward – Pensacola
John Masiarczyk – Deltona
Bruce Mount – Eatonville
Samuel Ferreri – Greenacres
Kathy Meehan – Melbourne
Rebecca Borders – St. Cloud
John B. Arnold, Jr. – Valparaiso
Gow Fields – Lakeland
John Marks – Tallahassee
Barrington A. Russell, Sr. – Lauderdale Lakes
Luigi Boria – Doral
Cindy Lerner – Pinecrest
JoAnn Faiella – Port St. Lucie
Vincent Boccard – Coral Springs
Frank Ortis – Pembrooke
Myra Taylor – City of Opa-locka
Vernon Myers – Palatka
Gary Katica – Belleair
Carol McCormack – Town of Palm Shores
Buddy Dyer – Orlando
Sarah “Sam” Seevers – Destin
George Creteko – Clearwater
John F. Sorey III – Naples
Gary Resnick – Wilton Manors
Steven Cutshaw – Bristol
Dave Eggers – Dunedin
Craig Lowe – Gainesville
Matt Surrency – Hawthorne
James Kirk – Okeechobee
Bob Buckhorn – Tampa
Gary Bruhn – Windermere
Isaac Salver – Bay Harbor Islands
Richard Kaplan – Lauderhill
Walter B. Duke, III – Dania Beach
Beverly Zimmern – Gulf Breeze
Michael Ryan – City of Sunrise
Jeri Muoio – West Palm Beach
John Holic – City of Venice
Dan Dodge – Hillsboro Beach
Michael Ryan – City of Sunrise
Kent Guinn – City of Ocala
Bobby Herndon – Northport
Helen Miller – Town of White Springs

“The City of Tallahassee is proud to join communities across the nation as we celebrate the Mayors Day of Recognition for National Service,” said City of Tallahassee Mayor John Marks, who issued a city proclamation and participated in a service project in honor of the event. “Each and every day the members of AmeriCorps and Senior Corps help improve the quality of life for all of our citizens through their extraordinary actions and dedicated service.”

“Mayors are leaders who get things done, responding every day to needs in their cities,” said Wendy Spencer, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service.  “I commend Florida’s mayors for joining in this important effort to recognize the impact of national service.  We are proud to work hand-in-hand with mayors and other local partners to improve lives and strengthen communities through national service.”

As the federal agency for service and volunteering, CNCS annually engages more than five million citizens in service at more than 70,000 locations in 8,500 cities across the country through AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, and other programs.  National service participants address the most pressing challenges facing our cities and nation, from educating students for the jobs of the 21st century and supporting veterans and military families to preserving the environment and helping communities recover from natural disasters.

For more information on the Mayors Day of Recognition for National Service, visit:www.nationalservice.gov/mayorsforservice.