CHS Jr. Receives President's Volunteer Service Award

Jabon Butler, son of Mr. & Mrs. Jason Butler, of Martinsburg, an 11th-grade student at Central High School, has been honored for his exemplary volunteer service with a President's Volunteer Service Award.

The award, which recognizes Americans of all ages who have volunteered significant amounts of their time to serve their communities and their country, was granted by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program. Central High School nominated Jabon for national honors this fall in recognition of his volunteer service.

Throughout the year Jabon's community service stems mainly from his church. He helps with service projects such as community outreach at a local factory and helping those in need. He also assists with chaplain services at a nearby hospital, leads See You at the Pole at school, counseling at church camp, and helping with a backpack program that feeds children on the weekends. Through his church he is also involved in missions' trips in this country as well as outside of the United States. This past summer he went to California for a month-long mission's trip with CE National.

"When I first started volunteering, especially with my church, I didn't realized the impact a small act like a small chore, a small meal, or even spiritual intervention (going and praying with people, speaking about God and our faith, etc...) would have on a person or a group of people," Jabon said.

In its 25th year, The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, sponsored by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), recognizes middle level and high school students across America for outstanding volunteer service.

"Across the United States, young volunteers are doing remarkable things to contribute to the well-being of the people and communities around them," said Prudential Chairman and CEO Charles Lowrey. "Prudential is honored to celebrate the contributions of these students, and we hope their stories inspire others to volunteer, too."

"Demonstrating civic responsibility through volunteerism is an important part of life," said NASSP Executive Director JoAnn Bartoletti. "These honorees practice a lesson we hope all young people, as well as adults, will emulate."

Prudential Spirit of Community Award application details were distributed nationwide last September through middle level and high schools, Girl Scout councils, county 4-H organizations, American Red Cross chapters, YMCAs and Points of Light Global Network members. These schools and officially-designated local organizations nominated Local Honorees, whose applications were advanced for state-level judging. In addition to granting President's Volunteer Service Awards, The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards selected State Honorees, Distinguished Finalists and Certificate of Excellence recipients. Volunteer activities were judged on criteria including initiative effort, impact and personal growth.