Madison, Wisconsin - Mayor Paul Soglin will join more than 600 mayors across the country for the first-ever Mayors Day of Recognition for National Service, a nationwide bipartisan effort to highlight the impact of national service in tackling city problems. The event will take place at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 9, 2013 at Schenk Elementary School, 230 Schenk Street, on Madison's east side.

"National service is a vital resource for our city," said Mayor Soglin. "AmeriCorps members and Senior Corps participants have a positive and lasting impact, making our cities better places to live. As Mayor, I am grateful for the dedication and sacrifice of these individuals, who are helping make our great city stronger, safer, and healthier."

Mayor Soglin will recognize local national service members and volunteers with a City of Madison proclamation and join them in reading to kindergarten students at the school.

Given the many social needs facing communities - and the fiscal constraints facing government at all levels - mayors are increasingly turning to national service as a cost-effective strategy to meet city needs. More than 1000 AmeriCorps members and Senior Corps (including RSVP and Foster Grandparent) volunteers serve in the Madison area, providing vital support by coordinating school volunteers; tutoring under-achieving students; boosting resources for seniors, veterans and low-income families; building capacity in non-profit organizations including those related to housing, health and nutrition, and helping youth graduate from high school and succeed in college.

Members of the following groups serve in local programs: Board of Regents UW System-Project Grow, Community Action Coalition of SC Wisconsin, Central Wisconsin Center-Foster Grandparents, Dane County Human Services-Partners for After School Success, Easter Seals, Edgewood College, Habitat for Humanity of Wisconsin, Operation Fresh Start, RSVP of Dane County-RSVP and Foster Grandparents, Serve Wisconsin State Commission, United Way of Dane County-Schools of Hope and Mobilizing Skilled Volunteers, Wisconsin Association for Homeless and Runaway Services, Wisconsin Campus Compact-UW Extension, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture Trade & Consumer Protection-Farm to School, Wisconsin Department of Health Services-Foster Grandparents, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, Wisconsin Primary Health Care Association, and Youth Build USA.

The Mayors Day of Recognition for National Service was conceived of by Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter, President of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, as a way to recognize the positive impact of national service in cities, to thank those who serve; and to encourage citizens to give back to their communities. The day is sponsored by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the National League of Cities, and Cities of Service.

"Mayors are leaders who get things done, responding every day to needs in their cities," said Wendy Spencer, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service. "I commend Mayor Soglin for joining in this important effort to recognize the impact of national service. We are proud to work hand-in-hand with mayors and other local partners to improve lives and strengthen communities through national service."

As the federal agency for service and volunteering, CNCS annually engages more than five million citizens in service at more than 70,000 locations in 8,500 cities across the country through AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, and other programs. National service participants address the most pressing challenges facing our cities and nation, from educating students for the jobs of the 21st century and supporting veterans and military families to preserving the environment and helping communities recover from natural disasters.

Across the country, mayors are participating in a variety of activities, including visiting national service programs, hosting roundtables at City Hall, issuing proclamations, and communicating about national service through social media. By shining the spotlight on the impact of service and thanking those who serve, mayors hope to inspire more residents to get involved in their communities.

"National service shows the best of the American spirit - people turning toward problems instead of away, working together to find community solutions," said Mayor Soglin. "Today, as we thank national service members for their commitment, let us all pledge to do our part to strengthen our city through service and volunteering."

For more information on the Mayors Day of Recognition for National Service, including background and a list of participating mayors, visit www.nationalservice.gov/mayorsforservice.