When Mill Creek student Anukriti Manchanda first began volunteering at a local 55+ senior living community, she never imagined her after-school service would lead to national recognition. But after logging more than 100 hours of volunteer work in a single year, Anukriti earned the President’s Volunteer Service Award (PVSA)—a prestigious honor celebrating Americans who go above and beyond in giving back to their communities. The PVSA, open to volunteers as young as five, recognizes service hours completed through certified organizations. Recipients must meet milestones—50 hours for Bronze, 75 for Silver, and 100 for Gold—within a single year. “You can’t get paid, and the hours have to be tracked by the organization,” Anukriti explained. “It’s really about giving your time freely to help others.”

For Anukriti, that meant showing up week after week to serve and she and her friends even formed close connections with the residents. “When I started, I met Catherine, who coordinates the volunteer program, and she showed us how meaningful it could be,” she said. “We helped with things like yardwork, cleaning, and organizing, but we also got to play games, walk pets, and help with events. It was fun and fulfilling.”

Over the months, Anukriti became a familiar face at community gatherings—from summer barbecues and Cinco de Mayo celebrations to the park’s monthly “sandwich socials.” One of her favorite memories came from a particularly hectic St. Patrick’s Day event. “There were only four or five of us running two grills, and the orders were coming in fast,” she recalled with a laugh. “We had to really work together, and even though a few sandwiches fell and someone burned a finger, it was worth it for the experience and the smiles.”

Balancing school, extracurriculars, and volunteering wasn’t always easy. “Sometimes the timing didn’t line up, and it was hard to fit in enough hours,” she admitted. “But we supported each other and made it happen.” That teamwork, combined with the encouragement of family, friends, and the seniors, helped her reach the 100-hour mark—earning her the Gold PVSA distinction.

Beyond the award, Anukriti says volunteering has changed her outlook. “I’ve learned to see community service as something joyful,” she said. “It’s not about the recognition—it’s about the people you meet and the difference you make. I’ve grown a lot through it and learned to enjoy the process of helping.”

Her commitment to service extends beyond this project. Each summer, she volunteers as a camp counselor with the Girl Scouts and supports various local programs, including Gurukul Language School, Voice of Planet, and Bread Booth, a food distribution initiative. Even though the PVSA program is currently on pause, Anukriti plans to keep volunteering. “We still go back to the Alder Trails community, even without the award,” she said. “We do it because it’s fun, it’s needed, and it makes a difference.”

Her advice to other young people in Mill Creek? “Pick a place where you’ll actually enjoy volunteering,” she said. “When you love what you’re doing and see how it helps people, it becomes something you look forward to—not just something to check off a list.”