MARYSVILLE — Along with several city leaders across the country, Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring proclaimed Tuesday, April 9, as the Mayor’s Day of Recognition for National Service, to recognize the positive impact of national service in Marysville, and to thank those who volunteer their time and energy.

“Volunteer service to others is a hallmark of the American character, and central to how we meet our challenges in our community, and across the nation,” said Nehring, who added that volunteerism has increasingly become a cost-effective strategy for meeting city needs, especially during tough economic times, and that city initiatives such as the ongoing Mayor’s Volunteer of the Month program are among the many ways to highlight the contributions and dedication of hard-working volunteers.

Through national service networks and organizations such as AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, and the Corporation for National and Community Service, participants bolster civic, neighborhood and faith-based organizations that Nehring deemed vital to the country’s economic and social well-being. National service also leverages non-federal resources to strengthen community impact and increase the return on taxpayer dollars.

In 2012 in Snohomish County, 1,000 Retired and Senior Volunteer Program volunteers contributed more than 181,000 hours of volunteer service. In Marysville, 67 of these volunteers served 19,952 hours at 10 locations, including the Ken Baxter Community Center, the police department’s Marysville Volunteer Program, the Marysville Community Food Bank and the local Boys & Girls Club.