Everyone likes to be recognized for their achievements or hours of service.  The Project Caressing Program therefore recommends an annual recognition dinner, coffee, tea, or luncheon for its Parent Volunteers.  The recognition event can be held at the center, a restaurant, or the homes of the Program Supervisor or Coordinator..

Following are some ideas for gifts and awards to present to volunteers based on the amount of time they have been in the program.

New parents who have just recently joined, zero to six months prior to the recognition event, should be given a small, inexpensive gift such as silk flowers, coasters, a vase, etc.

For volunteers with service of six months to a year, a certificate signed in calligraphy and placed in a glass and metal frame makes an attractive recognition award.

Lapel pins, tie tacks, charms, or engraved key rings make excellent appreciation gifts for volunteers with two years of service.

For persons volunteering three or more years, a special plaque, silver platter or dish, could be presented at the recognition event.

A gift that everyone appreciates is pictures of the group, with the name of the center and the date printed on the back.

You may also want to recognize those people at your center who have been helpful to the program.