114th Civ-OP Confers 2006 Volunteer Service Awards

John Pellitteri (l.) and George Napolitano (r.), recipients of the 2006 President’s Volunteer Service Award, conferred by the 114th Civilian Observation Patrol (114 Civ-OP), are shown with Captain Christopher Tamola of the 114th Police Precinct at the 114th Civ-OP Awards Night at Riccardo’s By the Bridge.

At the recent 114th Civilian Observation Patrol (114th Civ-OP) Awards Night at Riccardo’s By the Bridge, Astoria, John Pellitteri and George Napolitano received the 2006 President’s Volunteer Service Award. The 114th Civilian Observation Patrol, Inc. (114th Civ-OP) has teamed with the White House to become a Certifying Organization as one of thousands of organizations that have joined forces to deliver the President’s Volunteer Service Award and honor the volunteers who strengthen this nation.

Established in 2003, the award was created by President George W. Bush to give presidential recognition to individuals, families and groups who have demonstrated a sustained commitment to volunteer service and who meet requirements for volunteer service, measured by the number of service hours performed over 12 months. As a Certifying Organization for the award, the 114th Civ-OP is responsible for verifying service hours, nominating potential recipients and delivering the award.

The award is issued by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation and is conferred in varying levels contingent on the hours of service and the age of the volunteer. Children age 14 and under who earn 50 to 74 hours in service receive a bronze level medal, 75 to 99 hours a silver level and 100 or more hours a gold level. Young adults age 15 to 25 earn bronze level medals for 100 to 174 hours of service, silver for 175 to 249 hours and gold for 250 or more hours. Adults age 26 and older earn bronze level for 100 to 249 hours, silver for 250 to 499 hours and gold for 500 or more hours. Families and groups, consisting of two or more people with each member of the group contributing at least 25 hours toward earning the medal earn bronze level for 200 to 499 hours in service, silver for 500 to 999 hours and gold for 1,000 or more hours. The 114th Civ-OP presented its first President’s Volunteer Service Award to Julian Wager, president of the Steinway Business Improvement District, founding president of the Central Astoria Local Development Coalition (CALDC) and advertising director of the Western Queens Gazette, in January 2005.