News Release
Feb. 10, 2023

Volunteer Mississippi and AmeriCorps Present Five Mississippians with thePresident’s Volunteer Service Award

JACKSON, Miss. – On Feb. 10, 2023, AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, and Volunteer Mississippi, the Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service, awarded the President’s Volunteer Service Award to five local volunteers who have served thousands of hours. William “Quint” Withers, V and Racheal Barnes are recipients of the President’s Volunteer Service Lifetime Achievement Award. Angele Shaw, Timothy Marsaw, and Portia Ballard Espy are recipients of the Gold President’s Volunteer Service Award. 

“The President’s Volunteer Service Award inspires people across the country to step up for their community and enact positive change,” said Sonali Nijhawan, AmeriCorps State and National director. “I am grateful to each of the honored volunteers for their many years of service to communities across Mississippi and for demonstrating that service can be a uniting force.”  

Led by AmeriCorps and managed in partnership with Points of Light, the President’s Volunteer Service Award allows organizations to recognize their most exceptional volunteers based on service over a 12-month period or a lifetime. The President’s Volunteer Service Award program began in 2003 and honors individuals whose service positively impacts communities in every corner of the nation and inspires others to act.  Award tiers include Bronze (100-174 hours), Silver (175–249 hours), Gold (250+ hours) and Lifetime Achievement (4,000+ hours). 

“I want to personally thank all of our recipients for their tireless service to Mississippi communities,” said Monica Ritchie, Volunteer Mississippi executive director. “Their commitment and sacrifice have influenced countless lives, and we want to honor their achievements accordingly.” 

Withers has served the Jackson Metropolitan Area and his country for the last two decades through community service and engagement, collectively attaining over 4,000 hours with Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service, Youth United Way, Mississippi Book Festival, Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, Mississippi Hearts Against AIDS, Millsaps College Alumni Association, Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) Youth Leadership Development Program, and AmeriCorps NCCC, to name a few. 

Barnes has served over 4,000 hours over the last 14 years through the Training, Resources and Information for the Advancement of Disability (TRIAD) Service AmeriCorps Program and Petal Family Branch YMCA.  

Shaw, Marsaw, and Espy served over 500 hours each with the Mississippi Urban League and were responsible for water distribution-related logistics during the Jackson water crisis.  

Find all Volunteer Mississippi news releases at volunteermississippi.org/news.  

AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, provides opportunities for Americans to serve their country domestically, address the nation’s most pressing challenges, improve lives and communities, and strengthen civic engagement. Each year, the agency places more than 200,000 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers in intensive service roles; and empowers millions more to serve as long-term, short-term, or one-time volunteers. Learn more at AmeriCorps.gov. 

AmeriCorps offers opportunities for individuals of all backgrounds to be a part of the national service community, grow personally and professionally, and receive benefits for their service. Learn how to get involved at AmeriCorps.gov/serve. 

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Media Contact: 
Corie Jones 
Deputy Director | Public Relations Director 
corie@volunteermississippi.org 
601-624-0850 | Cell  
601-432-6261 | Office 

Mary Margaret Alexander-Stennett 
Communication Officer 
marymargaret@volunteermississippi.org 
769-257-4827 | Cell 
601-432-6224 | Office