Pocatello Mayor Blad, Chubbuck Mayor England to recognize Mayors Day of Recognition for National Service April 7 at Pocatello’s Brooklyn’s Playground.

The efforts of AmeriCorps members, including those from Idaho State University, who annually contribute more than 64,000 hours of service work to communities throughout Idaho, will be recognized by Pocatello Mayor Brian Blad and Chubbuck Mayor Kevin England on April 7 at Brooklyn’s Playground in Pocatello.

The mayors and volunteers will be partaking in a service project, which will include cleaning some of the playground equipment and litter pickup at Brooklyn’s Park from 8-9 a.m. April 7.

“AmeriCorps members have been volunteering service to help those who cannot afford prescriptions, through prescription assistance at Health West; and those who need dental work service getting help through dental hygiene and the dental residency; and for those with physical challenges we have physical therapy students serving them,” said Barbara Cunningham, senior grant project coordinator at the ISU Institute of Rural Health.

Blad and England will join more than 1,600 mayors nationwide who recognized national service during the third annual Mayors Day of Recognition for National Service. They will recognize community service and volunteer groups, including ISU AmeriCorps members.

“We are honored that Mayors Blad and England are participating in this event,” Cunningham said. “All of our community’s volunteers deserve recognition, and we are proud that Idaho State University is highly involved in service through the AmeriCorps programs.”

The two AmeriCorps programs administered through ISU are Idaho Health Care for Children and Families program and the Idaho Community HealthCorps program. The Idaho Health Care for Children and Families program provides health care screenings and education for children and their families throughout Idaho.

“It provides aid where there are holes in health care needs that relate to a child’s or family’s health,” Cunningham said.

For the Idaho Health Care for Children and Families program, there are 10 stipend members that each provide 1,700 hours annually. There are 22 education-award-only members who contribute 450 hours per year, and three education-award-only members who each provide 675 hours annually.

“Every single day of the year, AmeriCorps members and volunteers are making Pocatello and Chubbuck greater places to live,’ Cunningham said.

For the Idaho Community HealthCorps program there are 21 full-time members each providing 1,700 hours annually. This program directs health services to community health centers, Cunningham said.

Full-time, education-only members receive $5,500 for education, either to apply towards tuition or to pay off student loans. Full-time stipend members receive the education award, plus $12,100 annually for serving 1,700 hours.

Cunningham said that AmeriCorps programs do more than move communities forward; they serve their communities by creating jobs and providing pathways to opportunity for young people entering the workforce. Nationwide, AmeriCorps places thousands of young adults into intensive service positions where they learn valuable work skills, earn money for education, and develop an appreciation for citizenship.