Clark Scholars Receive U.S. President’s Volunteer Service Award

PURCHASE, NY (February 20, 2023) -- The Manhattanville College Clark Scholars and Clark Center Director Craig Donnelly were among the 35 individuals and community organizations honored by Pamela’s Big Heart Foundation during the U.S President’s Volunteer Service Awards and Fundraising Gala in Reid Castle at Manhattanville. The award was presented by Pamela’s Big Heart Foundation, a certifying organization of The President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation through the AmeriCorps Program.

The award recognizes the important role of volunteers in America, honoring those whose service positively impacts and who inspire those around them to take action that also impacts their communities. Upon receiving the award, Donnelly commented that the honor “truly exemplifies the commitment and dedication of our Clark Scholars and the bond they share with our 200 community partners.” He added, “I am so thrilled to receive the distinguished U.S. President’s Volunteer Service Award. It makes me feel so grateful and blessed to be among these honorees.”

Close to 1,000 students participate in service projects as part of Manhattanville’s Clark Scholars each year for a total of 30,000 hours of service. Pamela’s Big Heart Foundation is a non-profit organization in Yonkers, NY, that works to better the lives of underserved youth.

Among the attendees at the event were NYS Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins; NYS Senator Shelley Mayer; Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano; Yonkers Councilwoman District 2 Corazon Pineda; Former County Legislator District 15 Ruth Walter; Maddie Cheatham, founder and head of Pamela’s Big Heart Foundation. Other highlights included a fashion show by Chokomode, a fashion line by Marcelle Gakam and a musical performance by Anisha Lovemore and her church band.

Organizations honored:

914 Cares

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc

Bombas Giving Team

Caribbean Girls Mission Of Hope

Manhattanville College Clark Scholars

Teens Under Construction

Yonkers Rotary Club

Yonkers Sanctuary Movement

Individual honorees:

Honorary Award Gail Baxter

Angela Bailey

Pamela D. Cheatham

Ghia Clark

Dr. Alika Crew

Dr. Alexandria Connally

Adonis Crosby

Dwanita Crosby

Craig Donnelly

Ana Hercules

Yocasta Jimenez

H.E. Grace-Ann Johnson

Corinna Kerber

Subomi Macaulay

Miriam Minor

Shatika Parker

Rev. Joel Polo Jr.

Kyle Skipper-Pugh

Arthur Roldan

Rev. Dr. J. Loren Russell

Diana Sanchez

Kisha Skipper

McKenzie Cheatham-Walker

Rev. Mary Ann Watkins

Ray Wilcox

Mae E. Williams

About the Clark Center:

The Sister Mary T. Clark Center for Religion and Social Justice is the heart of Service Learning at Manhattanville College. Foundational to the Clark Center are the pillars of: Religion & Spirituality, Social Justice, Activism & Advocacy and Community Service. Each year the Clark Center collaborates with regional, national and international partners to foster experiential learning for our students through the integration of these four pillars and their role in in community service activities. Religion & Spirituality: Support of religious beliefs at the Clark Center is provided by three chaplains representing Catholicism, Judaism and Inter-denominational Christianity. They minister to the spiritual needs of students and staff by offering opportunities for faith sharing, one on one spiritual direction, retreat experiences and celebration of religious rituals.

About Manhattanville College:

Manhattanville College is a small, private liberal arts institution dedicated to academic excellence, purposeful education, and social justice. For two years in a row, U.S. News and World Report ranks Manhattanville the number one private, non-profit institution in New York among Top Performers on Social Mobility in Regional Universities North. Located 30 miles from New York City on a 100-acre suburban campus in the heart of bustling Westchester County, To learn more, visit www.mville.edu.