The youth of our town is a constant focus of mine. So much that two years ago, I started the town’s Youth Community Service Award Program.

This program provides a venue for our town’s younger residents to invest their time and talent into our community and for them to be recognized for their contributions.

It is also an added element to those students applying for scholarships, secondary education or going in to the workforce after high school.

This award provides sophomores, juniors and seniors recognition for their volunteerism in the Bluffton community.

Those students who have worked to make a difference in our town will be recognized and awarded by me at a Town Council meeting at the end of each program.

The requirements are very simple, as the idea is to get students out in the public giving back to this town.

Volunteer Requirements:

  • Open to all sophomores, juniors and seniors attending public, private or home school in Bluffton.
  • Volunteer hours must be earned between May 1 and April 30 of each calendar year.
  • Volunteer hours must be served with a nonprofit organization providing services of benefit to the Bluffton community.

Eligibility requirements:

  • Silver Award: 50 hours of volunteer service
  • Gold Award: 51 to 99 hours of volunteer service
  • Mayor’s Exceptional Service Award: 100 or more hours of volunteer service

All volunteer hours must be signed off by the organizational representative and by the student.

There is a Volunteer Hours Tracking Form and is the only form that will be accepted for recording hours.

Visit www.townofbluffton.sc.gov/ mayor-s-bluffton-youth-community-service-award-program to access the form.

Forms must be submitted no later than April 30 to the Mayor’s office via Kimberly Chapman at kchapman @townofbluffton.com.

Students who earn an award will be recognized at an Awards Ceremony at Town Hall.

We have a Facebook page for all participants to be part of. Just “like” the page labeled “Mayor’s Bluffton Youth Community Service Award Program” and post any community service pictures you have.

Please pass this along to any student that is in a Bluffton school that is a sophomore, junior or senior and don’t hesitate to contact us for more information.

Lisa Sulka is the mayor of the Town of Bluffton.