It’s About the Service: Why the National Service Honor Matters

When the Presidential Volunteer Service Award (PVSA) was paused indefinitely, many schools and organizations were left wondering: How do we continue recognizing the incredible service students are doing in our communities?

That’s exactly why we created the Helper Helper National Service Honor — to ensure that the commitment, leadership, and selflessness shown by young people doesn’t go unrecognized. And yes — we understand it’s not signed by the President. But that’s never been what makes an award meaningful.

Credibility Is in the Verification, Not the Title

The truth is, verification of service hours is what gives recognition real weight. At Helper Helper, we’ve built our entire platform around accurate, verified tracking — and we’ve helped thousands of schools, colleges, and organizations across the country ensure the hours they report are:

✅ Verified by a real person (not self-reported)
✅ Time-stamped and location-logged
✅ Backed by digital documentation (e.g., check-ins, QR codes, or coordinator validation)
✅ Transparent to coordinators, advisors, and administrators

When students receive the National Service Honor, it’s not just a number on a certificate. It’s a reflection of real, verified contributions to their communities.

Will It Matter on a College Application?

This is a question we hear often: “Will this award matter to colleges if it’s not signed by the President?”

And while we can’t speak for admissions officers, we can say this: 100+ verified hours of service absolutely matters.

What students do — and how well that impact is documented — always carries more weight than the name of the certificate.

In fact, many admissions officers value:

• Authenticity in service and leadership

• Long-term commitment

• Impactful causes (local or global)

• Evidence of character and initiative

Our award helps students showcase all of that — not just with a certificate, but with a verified record of impact.

Become a Certifying Partner

Just like with PVSA, we’re inviting schools, nonprofits, and community organizations to become Certifying Partners for the National Service Honor.

When you partner with Helper Helper:

• You get access to an easy-to-use platform for tracking and verifying hours

• Your organization can issue National Service Honors to qualifying students

• You uphold a standard of credibility and integrity in service recognition

We believe that recognition should be earned and accurate — not just a download-and-print form. Our Certifying Partners are on the frontlines of service work, and we’re proud to help them bring meaningful acknowledgment to those making a difference.

Recognition That Reflects Real Impact

Awards are only as valuable as the story they tell. The Helper Helper National Service Honor tells a story of commitment, integrity, and verified community service. Whether a student is applying to college, for a scholarship, or to their first job — this is a recognition that means something.

So no, our award isn’t signed by the President.

But it is signed by you — the people who know the impact, who verify the work, and who see these volunteers showing up day after day.

That’s what really matters.

💬 Interested in becoming a Certifying Partner? Learn more here or reach out — we’d love to help your organization continue recognizing outstanding service.