Acting Labor Secretary Supports Pittsburgh AmeriCorps Volunteer in National Video Contest; Encourages Public to View, Vote

Acting Labor Secretary Supports Pittsburgh AmeriCorps Volunteer in National Video Contest; Encourages Public to View, Vote

HARRISBURG, Pa., May 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Acting Labor & Industry Secretary Sandi Vito today expressed support and encouragement for PennSERVE: the Governor's Office of Citizen Service's Pittsburgh KEYS AmeriCorps member Jamie Walker, who is one of five finalists in the national AmeriCorps video contest.

"Congratulations to Jamie on making it to the finals of the video contest," Vito said. "This video does an excellent job of capturing and conveying the passion, commitment and dedication that our young people have for serving their communities."

People can view and vote for Jamie's video (http://www.americorpscontest.org/public/StreamVideo.aspx?videoId=85&public=1& page=1&status=random&sortDirection=True&nResult=10&leftFilter=finalists) at www.AmeriCorps.gov before the May 18 deadline. Winners will be announced at the AmeriCorps Town Hall Meeting at the National Conference on Volunteering and Service in Atlanta on June 1.

The one-minute video - "Why AmeriCorps? Why Not!" - features members of the Pittsburgh KEYS AmeriCorps program highlighting their reasons for being involved in community service and the sense of personal fulfillment they've experienced.

In the contest, participants create a 60-second video answering the question "Why AmeriCorps?" Thirty-five entries addressed topics such as how AmeriCorps tackles some of America's biggest challenges; what AmeriCorps means to you; and why someone should join AmeriCorps. The grand prize, worth up to $5,000, is a volunteer vacation to participate in a community service project in another country.

"This would be an incredible experience for me, being I have never been to another country," Walker said. "The best part is I wouldn't be a typical tourist; I would be helping people while I'm there. Giving back to the global community, in whatever modest way I can, is a very exciting and meaningful idea to me."

Pittsburgh KEYS is one of 16 AmeriCorps programs administered by PennSERVE: the Governor's Office of Citizen Service. Along with AmeriCorps, PennSERVE engages residents 17 years old and older in intensive service to meet community needs in education, the environment, public safety, homeland security and other areas. In exchange for a year of service, AmeriCorps members earn an education award that can be used to pay for college or pay back qualified student loans.

For more information on community service in Pennsylvania, visit www.pennserve.state.pa.us.

CONTACT: Troy Thompson

(717) 787-7530

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry

CONTACT: Troy Thompson of the Pennsylvania Department of Labor &
Industry, +1-717-787-7530

Web Site: http://www.americorps.gov/
http://www.pennserve.state.pa.us/
http://www.state.pa.us/

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Profile: International Entertainment