Letter in Community Service
Frequently Asked Questions

What’s in it for me?
After we validate your hours of community service by contacting each of your volunteer activity supervisors directly, you will be honored at a ceremony in May (typically a dessert reception). You will receive a certificate proudly announcing your Letter in Community Service as well as your high school Letter to be displayed on a jacket or wherever you choose. You will receive a patch designating that you earned your school letter in service to your community and you will receive a Presidential Volunteer Service Award from the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation. Furthermore, you can highlight this recognized distinction on your resume for higher education, academic and community service scholarships. The Varsity Letter in Community Service is unique to schools in Pierce County and this will definitely set you apart from your peers!

***If you are a senior applying for this award, be sure to ask us about the Willie Stewart Community Service Scholarship. ***

What counts as community service for this award?
Community service as defined for this purpose is voluntarily assisting others at a nonprofit organization without receiving compensation or school credit. Any community service that you perform, either as an individual or as part of a group, club or team counts toward earning the letter in community service (with a few exceptions). Always be sure to document your hours accurately. Those meeting times and planning time are an important part of doing the service; without the organization, you could not do the project. If you are unsure if a particular activity counts toward this award we encourage you to call or email your volunteer activity supervisor.

What types of service do not count?
Court ordered community service; babysitting (paid or unpaid); singing in church choir; traditional, in-class time; any activity for which you receive school credit or is required for school or graduation. In other words, whatever hours are counted toward school may not be counted for this award.

Note: If you are part of a choir that performs a benefit concert you may count all hours related to that concert.

How do you count hours in special cases?
~Mission Trip: counted as 15 hours per day if the service occurs outside of school time and 10 hours per day if it occurs during school time.
~Camp Counselor: counted as 15 hours per day if the service occurs outside of school time and 10 hours per day if it occurs during school time.
Note : If you served more than the standard amount of time listed above and can provide documentation to confirm it we will accept a higher number of hours.

Who do I contact for more information?
If your college/career counselor at your high school cannot answer your questions, feel free to contact Bethany Opstedal at the United Way of Pierce County at (253) 597-6685 or bethanyo@uwpc.org.