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Public Service Recognition Week

Honor their dedication and achievements this Public Service Recognition Week - our public heroes who commit to serving our communities every day!
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When it is?
May 5
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Category
Federal
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Country
United States
Creator
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Founded

Introduction

Break out the balloons and badges, it's time to celebrate Public Service Recognition Week starting on May 5! This notable week began in 1985, when the Public Employees Roundtable and its member organizations came together to proudly honor the men and women who serve our nation as federal, state, county, and local government employees. With courage, dedication, and tireless effort, these incredible individuals work to ensure our communities are safe, healthy, and thriving. From firefighters and police officers to teachers and medical workers, this is a week to honor their significant contributions and say a wholehearted thank you! Their commitment and drive is something everyone can be excited about. So let’s put our collective hands together for these everyday heroes!

History of Public Service Recognition Week

Public Service Recognition Week Timeline

<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1985</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Inception of PSRW</div><div class='timeline-text'>Public Service Recognition Week (PSRW) was established by the Public Employees Roundtable and its member organizations to honor all levels of public servants.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1987</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Presidential Proclamation</div><div class='timeline-text'>President Ronald Reagan issued a formal presidential proclamation celebrating Public Service Recognition Week, solidifying its national importance.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1990s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Public Service Celebrations Grow</div><div class='timeline-text'>Through the 1990s, recognition events proliferated across the country, with local communities holding parades, award ceremonies and other celebratory events.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2003</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Government-Wide Celebration</div><div class='timeline-text'>The U.S. Senate unanimously approved a resolution designating a week in May as Public Service Recognition Week, urging all Americans to recognize the contributions of public service workers.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2010</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Expansion of PSRW Events</div><div class='timeline-text'>Public Service Recognition Week events expanded to include a 5k run/walk, public service town hall meetings, and international events.</div></div></div>

How to Celebrate Public Service Recognition Week

<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Host a public service appreciation event</h3><p class='facts-text'>Organize an appreciation event in your community that honors the work of public service workers. It could be a simple outdoor gathering with some food and music or a more official event with awards and recognition for the public servants in your area.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Create gift baskets for public service workers</h3><p class='facts-text'>From healthy snacks to wellness items, you can pack a special gift basket for public service workers in your area. Hand them out throughout Public Service Recognition Week as a token of appreciation.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Promote public service jobs</h3><p class='facts-text'>Help encourage others to join the ranks of public service by promoting job openings in the industry. You could collaborate with local schools and colleges to organize career fairs or inform younger generations about the benefits and rewards of a career in public service.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Share stories of dedicated public service workers</h3><p class='facts-text'>Take this opportunity to highlight some of the extraordinary work performed by public workers in your community. You could write articles, blog posts, or even just share some posts on social media showcasing their work and dedication.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Volunteer your time</h3><p class='facts-text'>Public service workers are all about giving back to the community. Honor their dedication by volunteering your time. This could be picking up trash in your local park, helping out at a local food bank, or assisting with a community project.</p></div></div>

Why Public Service Recognition Week is Important

<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Honoring Every Day Heroes</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Public Service Recognition Week provides an opportunity to honor the everyday heroes who commit themselves to serving our communities. These individuals diligently work behind the scenes to ensure that our communities remain safe, healthy, and prosperous. This week, we get a chance to appreciate their tireless efforts.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Show Gratitude</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Public Service Recognition Week allows us to express our gratitude towards these public servants through appreciation events, gift baskets, promotion of their jobs, sharing their hero stories, and volunteering. These small gestures showcase our collective appreciation and admiration for their invaluable service.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Inspire Future Public Servants</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>By spotlighting the roles, challenges, and achievements of public service workers, we inspire younger generations to consider careers in public service. Promoting public service jobs not only helps to fill vacancies but also instills a sense of community dedication in the future generation.</p></div></div>

5 Incredible Facts about Public Service Week

Public Service Recognition Week FAQs

Public Service Recognition Week Dates

Year
Date
Day

2023

2024

2025

2026

2027

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