TALLAHASSEE, Fla. /Florida Newswire/ -– Governor Charlie Crist will today recognize Comcast as this week’s Point of Light during Celebration of Volunteerism, an event being held at the Tallahassee-Leon County Civic Center as part of Florida Volunteer Month. “Comcast has remained an active and significant supporter of many national and local non-profit organizations,” said Governor Crist. “Their leadership in Florida’s communities and strong commitment to education, diversity and volunteerism represents the very best of the human spirit.”

Through the Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship Program, Comcast awarded 107 scholarships to Florida graduating seniors in 2009, for a total of more than 300 since 2007. Also among Comcast’s many philanthropic efforts is a sponsorship of Children’s Week, City Year’s new Miami Corps, and Just Read, Florida! Through their statewide community initiative, Comcast Cares Day, the communications company in 2008 also contributed more than 15,000 hours of service to 17 volunteer projects in Florida.

Each year, Comcast provides more than $1.2 million worth of complimentary cable television and high-speed internet services annually to partners in local government, schools, libraries and community-based organizations in Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe counties alone. Since 2001, Comcast charitable giving in cash and in-kind exceeds $1.4 billion to national and local non-profit organizations.

Governor’s Fitness Challenge Check Presentation

Also during Celebration of Volunteerism, Governor Crist will be presented a $100,000 check from SunTrust Bank for the Governor’s Fitness Challenge, a school-based volunteer opportunity that provides guidance and incentives to elementary and middle schools for helping boost physical fitness. The challenge supports teachers and students as they implement legislation Governor Crist signed requiring at least 30 minutes of physical education each day for elementary school students. Florida middle schools are preparing for similar physical education requirements for the upcoming school year. To learn more about the Governor’s Fitness Challenge, please visit www.GovernorsFitnessChallenge.com

Florida Volunteer Month

Florida Volunteer Month highlights the many ways volunteers positively impact their communities, to encourage citizens to volunteer, and to remind the private sector that volunteerism is good for business. This year’s theme, “Brighten Your World … VOLUNTEER!” recognizes that volunteers have the power to make a better world simply by offering their time.

Sponsors of Florida Volunteer Month are urging individuals statewide to join the volunteer movement and experience the benefits that volunteering offers, such as an increased self-esteem, improved health, and marketable job skills. Businesses can also experience the advantages of volunteering by implementing an employee volunteer program. Studies have shown that companies with employee volunteer programs report lower employee turnover rates, higher morale, and better community relations.

For more on Florida Volunteer Month and a list of links to volunteer resources and opportunities, please visit Volunteer Florida’s Web site at www.volunteerflorida.org

CSX and AAA Auto Club South are supporting sponsors of the Governor’s Points of Light Award. This program recognizes Florida residents who demonstrate exemplary service to the community. Award recipients are announced weekly. A panel of judges comprised of leaders in the areas of volunteerism and service evaluate all nominations and make recommendations to the Governor. The Volunteer Florida Foundation manages the program. For more information, or to submit a nomination, go to www.VolunteerFloridaFoundation.org

The Governor’s Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service (Volunteer Florida) was established in 1994 by the Florida Legislature to administer grants under the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993. The Commission grants funds to Florida AmeriCorps and National Service programs; encourages volunteerism for everyone from youth to seniors to people with disabilities; promotes volunteerism for disaster preparedness and response; supports the Governor’s priority initiatives through the creation of innovative volunteer programs, and helps to strengthen Volunteer Centers in Florida.