NATaT to Salute “Hometown Heroes” as a Co-Sponsor of the new Small Town America Civic Volunteer Awar

The National Association of Towns and Townships is joining other prominent organizations in supporting a new, national program to honor extraordinary public service volunteers throughout the Country. The program is called the Small Town America Civic Volunteer Award (STACVA). NATaT joins the National Association of Counties, the National Volunteer Fire Council, Points of Light (the Nation’s largest volunteer service organization – founded by President George H.W. Bush) and the National Main Street Center as STACVA co-sponsors.

STACVA is intended to spotlight a growing crisis facing thousands of smaller townships, cities and rural counties: the decline in the availability of citizens to serve in critical public safety and service roles including, volunteer firefighters, emergency medical personnel, and on local government boards and commissions. The program, which will launch on June 1, is open to localities of 5,000 people or less.

NATaT Board Member David Sanko was selected to serve on the STACVA advisory team. Sanko is NATaT’s Immediate Past President and is the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors. “In some places, democracy and self-government are being taken for granted. Apathy is on the rise. Some municipalities struggle to fill local government vacancies, whether it’s finding candidates for civic service on boards and commissions or recruiting volunteer firefighters to help ensure citizens’ safety”, Sanko said.

For more details on the award and how to submit nominations, please see NATaT’s media release.