Volunteer Awards & Gifts
Most volunteers give of their time and talents not expecting an award or a gift for their service. However, companies and organizations that benefit from volunteer service do appreciate volunteers and naturally want to give some token or gift to say thank you. If you are looking for volunteer awards and gift ideas, remember it does not have to be expensive. Creative and well-thought-out gifts can go a long way in letting volunteers know you appreciate them.
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President's Volunteer Service Award
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The President's Council on Service and Civic Participation, established in 2003, recognizes the valuable contribution of volunteer service and wants to encourage more people to serve. Any family, individual or group who has served the specific number of hours and gets the nomination may receive the Presidential Volunteer Service Award. Apply online on behalf of your exceptional volunteers to see if they qualify for this outstanding award. The recipient receives a bronze lapel pin engraved with President's Volunteer Award on it, a personalized certificate and a letter from the president.
Daily Point of Light Award
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The Points of Light Institute was created by the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation to recognize people and organizations for going the extra mile in helping others. Nominate your volunteers for the Daily Point of Light Award by filling out an online nomination form at the Points of Light Institute. It is a high honor to receive the Point of Light Award.
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Volunteer Points
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Rewarding your volunteers occasionally is a way to say thank you and to keep them motivated to come back and volunteer some more. Each time a volunteer comes in to provide service, give him a ticket worth points. At the end of the month give him a gift card worth that many points to a restaurant or coffee venue. A practical way to say thank you is to award a volunteer of the month and give him a parking spot closest to the building. Make a large plaque and add an engraved nameplate on the plaque each month for the recognized volunteer.
Banquets
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Volunteer banquets are common and may be somewhat boring, but if you plan a distinctive banquet you can expect everyone to show up for her award. For example, call the banquet "A Special Piece of the Puzzle," and each volunteer arrives give her a puzzle piece with her name on it and a number. The volunteer will add her piece to the puzzle and then pick out the gift with the corresponding number. The gift can be simple such as a mug, a pen or a gift card.
Awards and Gifts
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Just because something has been done before does not mean it is less special. Many of the common awards and gifts given to volunteers are given because they are appropriate and appreciated by the volunteer. An award certificate with the volunteer's name and hours of service is a treasured keepsake for the recipient. A coffee mug with a thank-you note to the volunteer embellished on the side is also a great gift. Commemorative pens, picture frames and watches are appropriate as well. Simple and inexpensive gifts such as water bottles, T-shirts, baseball caps, key chains or sunglasses are also great volunteer gifts. A thank-you note with a gift card to a local restaurant or store is also a good idea.
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