On Tuesday, April 9, 2013 Philadelphia Health Corps members and staff took part in the 1st Annual Mayors Day of Recognition for National Service. The nationwide event was spearheaded by Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, in partnership with the Corporation for National and Community Service, Cities of Service, the United States Conference of Mayors and the National League of Cities. Over 830 mayors from around the country participated in the event as a way of honoring the impact of national service members, staff, alumni and supporters in their cities.
CNCS CEO Wendy Spencer attended the event and suggested that Philadelphia, known as the “City of Brotherly & Sisterly Love”, should be rechristened as the “City of National Service Love” given the huge presence of AmeriCorps, VISTA and Senior Corps programs and members in the city (members serve in 396 locations in Philadelphia). She added that there are AmeriCorps members in every neighborhood in the city, serving with their “hearts and their hands” to make communities, individuals and families stronger.
The day was made even more special by the presence of the Honorable Harris Wofford, former U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania. Senator Wofford served as the CEO of CNCS from 1995 to 2001 and in February, he received the Presidential Citizens Medal from President Obama (the award is the nation’s second-highest civilian honor). Senator Wofford, along with Mayor Nutter, applauded the role of AmeriCorps, VISTA and Senior Corps members in “making a difference, one person at a time.”