The Mayor and Council of the Town of Marana declare April 18- 24, 2021 as, " Volunteer Appreciation Week" and urge our citizens to volunteer or to give service in our communities throughout the year. By volunteering and recognizing those who serve, we promote partnership, understanding, and collaborative problem solving in our community.
In 1943, National Volunteer Week was first conceived in Canada as a way to celebrate the contributions made by women to the war effort during World War II. After the war ended, National Volunteer Week declined in popularity until it was revived in the 1960s, and it eventually gained popularity in the United States. In 1974, former President Richard Nixon established National Volunteer Week through Presidential Proclamation 4288; and every American president thereafter has since prepared a Presidential Proclamation acknowledging National Volunteer Week each third week in April.
2020 presented many challenges for our world, and specifically for our nation with the sudden onset of the coronavirus (COVID- 19) pandemic resulting in over a million deaths, along with economic and financial uncertainty. Despite these unfortunate challenges, last year, more than 1.6 million Arizona residents volunteered. Their service has an estimated economic value of more than $3.8 billion.
The Town of Marana commemorates National Volunteer Week by recognizing its valued volunteers and national service members. Government alone cannot meet all of the nation's needs, so we partner with businesses, faith-based organizations, non-profit organizations, foundations, and individuals who serve in city, town, county, or state government and in our community to make a difference.
The Town of Marana is committed to encouraging volunteerism and national service among its employees, citizens, partners, businesses, and organizations, and expresses its appreciation and thanks all volunteers that actively give of themselves to contribute to the Marana community in various ways.
