Home People Community Leaders applaud Frank Sosta’s Volunteerism

Community Leaders applaud Frank Sosta’s Volunteerism

Photo: Virginia Morrow of VCM Photography

By Mark Young, SouthFloridaReporter.com Managing Editor, Oct. 7, 2015 – President Barack Obama and the Corporation for National and Community Service have awarded Frank J. Sosta, Jr., of Vero Beach, Florida, with a gold President’s Volunteer Service Award, a national honor offered in recognition of volunteer service.

Nominated for his long standing commitment to the community, Sosta currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Republican Party of Indian River County, President of the Republican Club of Indian River County and is owner of Royal Cut Barber Shop in Vero Beach.

The award is a prestigious national honor given by the President of the United States. It honors individuals who have demonstrated a sustained commitment to volunteer service over the course of a year or lifetime.  Sosta has a long history of volunteer service and has clocked over a thousand hours of community service on behalf of numerous organizations along the Treasure Coast.

“Today’s award recipients have a long history of volunteerism and have dedicated several thousand hours of community service within Indian River County and on the Treasure Coast,” stated Vero Beach Mayor Dick Winger, in presenting the Presidential Volunteer Service Award to Sosta.  “I’m proud to be part of this moment and especially proud of the volunteers who have made service to the community a central part of their lives.” 

The President’s Volunteer Service Award was created in 2002 by the USA Freedom Corps.  In devising such an award, every American was called upon to make a lifelong commitment to volunteer service.  The award itself specifically recognizes individuals and families who have answered that call.

President George W. Bush created the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation to help recognize the valuable contributions volunteers are making to our nation. The original council was chaired by two-time Super Bowl champion Darrell Green with former U.S. Senators Robert Dole and John Glenn served as honorary co-chairs.  The Council included leaders from government, business, media, entertainment, education, and nonprofit, volunteer service and community organizations.

The President’s Volunteer Service Award is now an initiative of the Corporation for National and Community Service and is administered by Points of Light.  With a shared mission of inspiring more to answer the call to service, the award is available on an annual basis to individuals, groups and families who have met or exceeded requirements for volunteer service and have demonstrated exemplary citizenship through volunteering.

“Dedication and commitment to the community in which we work, live and play is important,” Sosta told South Florida Reporter.  “I’m proud to be recognized for such a prestigious award.”

The gold-level President’s Volunteer Service Award is the second highest award for volunteer service an individual can aspire to achieve.  Recipients of this prestigious award are role models for all Americans.  Each volunteer hour contributed makes a difference in improving the quality of life for others while also encouraging others to volunteer.   Through their commitment, Americans are brought closer together as families, as communities and as a nation.

In recognition of his community service, Sosta received a letter of commendation from President Obama. “Your volunteer service demonstrates the kind of commitment to your community that moves America a step closer to its great promise,” the letter said.  Furthermore, “A change is brought about because ordinary people do extraordinary things.”

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