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Overview
Lion’s Heart is a teen-based volunteer program based in California. The organization has several chapters  in other states, such as Colorado, Georgia, New York, Wisconsin, Texas, and Connecticut, but growing all the time. They were founded in 2004 as a non-profit, non-fundraising group made to “serve the community in meaningful and fun ways.”

Since it was founded by Terry Corwin, Lion’s Heart has enrolled approximately 3,500 Members as of 2014. The organization has grown steadily and offer teenagers the motivation to do community service without fundraising or other lofty requirements. So far, the organization has enrolled teens who are in 6th through 12th grades.

Lion’s Heart has become rather notable in California due to their presence among volunteer groups. Often, families move to a different area and desire to start a new chapter in their new location

Organization Setup
Each geographical chapter of Lion’s Heart has a group for each gender and grade level in the chapter.Each group has 4-20 Members, along with one parent who is the Class Coordinator.

The Members decide things like who shall lead them from within as an officer, what sort of community service they want to do, and who they want to help. Each class is required to meet at least 8 times during a year, though they often meet more regularly than that. Every volunteer in Lion’s Heart is required to perform 30 hours or more of community service every year.

Each group elects their own officers, run their own meetings, and decide together how to serve the community. While the organization is mostly based around group activity, many members choose to do their community service on their own. The main office of Lion’s Heart often receives volunteer requests and those opportunities are passed along to each chapter by the organization’s Volunteer Outreach Chairman.

Mission Statement and Aims
“Lion's Heart is a community service organization for teens dedicated to serving the community in meaningful and fun ways.”

Lion’s Heart’s goal is to not only allow students to be active in their community, but encourage a life of volunteerism long after leaving Lion’s Heart. Each member has to complete a minimum of 30 hours a year of community service, but members are encouraged to go beyond that.

National Presence
As of 2014, Lion’s Heart has grown across seven states in the U.S. Most of the states only have a single chapter, though it is growing after only 10 years of existence.

They have worked with several other volunteer and charity organizations, including the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation, Education for the Children, The Rotary, Bethany’s Gate, Boys Town, Orange County Food Bank, National Beach Clean Up - Surfrider Foundation, Capo Unified School District, Saddleback Valley School District, Bell Tower Regional Community Center, Pacific Mammal Center Laguna Beach, Rose Parade, Adopt-A-Beach, Zero Trash, Second Harvest Food Bank, and American Red Cross Blood Drives.

Awards
Lion’s Heart has their own reward system for their members. Members who are in for the entire 6 years allowed are given what’s called the Golden Lion Award. At the end of a given year, they will be given a medallion, as well as being honored for their achievements within the organization. (Hours of community service, officer positions held, as well as any other awards they have received.)

Other awards include the Torchbearer Award and the President’s Volunteer Service Award.

The Torchbearer award goes to a peer-selected member once every year, with one for every class. Once the year is up, the Torchbearer gives their award to the next winner, on, and on. Once the class has reached their senior year, the last person to win it will keep it from then on. It is given to those who give exemplary service by going above and beyond what is required of them.

The President’s Volunteer Service Award is a national campaign to recognize community service. There are three levels. Bronze, silver, and hold, depending upon how many hours of community service a member goes through.

Community Recognition
Lion’s Heart has garnered local appreciation from many smaller communities in which they’re based. Members have been honored in Ridgefield CT, San Juan CA , Mission Viejo CA , and others.

Further Reading/External Links
Lion’s Heart Main Website

Lion’s Heart on Twitter Lion’s Heart on Facebook