Six Lion’s Heart Teens Earn Prestigious President’s Volunteer Service Award For Community Action

Upland, CA – The Upland City Council will be recognizing six hard-working members of Lion’s Heart on Monday June 24 for earning the Presidential Volunteer Service Award signed by the President of the United States.

The awards are based on the number of volunteer hours served. Vanessa Wong, Benjamin Wong and Karis Yoon are receiving gold awards for contributing 100 hours to the community, Lily Moore is receiving a silver award for 75 hours, and Alyssa Miao and Chloe Nafarrate each earn a bronze award for spending 50 hours to help those in need.

Upland Chapter Class Coordinator Sylvia Tam says her then 12 year old daughter Vanessa Wong founded Lion’s Heart because she wanted to do more for her community with her friends as it was hard to find volunteer opportunities for kids.

Lion’s Heart is a national nonprofit that connects 5th-12th grade students with local service opportunities to help them build a strong community service portfolio. They are being nominated for 2019’s Non-Profit of the Year by the Greater Irvine Chamber. proudly celebrated one million hours earlier in the year. Upland CA 2022 Girls Blue Group members together have logged 702 hours of community service since they started in 2017, Tam said. The number of individual members in Upland have increased and have accumulated over 300 hours so far.

Some of their service projects included collaborations with Children’s Foundation of America, Operation Gratitude, Operation Christmas Child, Megan’s Wings, school talent show, God’s Pantry, Adonai Families, leading meetings for young Girl Scout troops, The Special Olympics, putting on a music concert for seniors, welcoming a new family to Upland, and many more.

“What I like most about Lion’s Heart is that we each can choose our own projects as well as with the whole group. It’s also very rewarding to hold formal meetings and to see all my time tracked online in one place,” Wong said.

That’s what Lion’s Heart is all about, Tam said. “It’s important for kids to give back early in life and learn the value so they continue the giving spirit and make time to care for their community.”

Support teens in action by forming a Lion’s Heart chapter in your neighborhood, becoming a Member, or requesting Lion’s Heart teen volunteers to support your cause. For more information, visit www.lionsheartservice.org today!

About Lion’s Heart We are Lion’s Heart: teens dedicated to positive social impact. We are a national 501(c)3 nonprofit that provides 5th-12th grade students with local service opportunities that help them build a strong community service portfolio. Teens can track hours, earn leadership awards, and export their service portfolio to use on scholarship, college, and career applications. We are over 10,000 Members strong with new chapters forming every day across the United States! To form a chapter in your neighborhood, become a Member, request volunteers for your cause, or become a corporate partner, visit www.lionsheartservice.org.