Flint Mayor Dayne Walling and others will be recognized for their support of national service at the 11th Annual Friends of National Service Awards reception tonight in Washington DC. Walling will receive the Local Leadership Award for his leadership and innovation in leveraging national service to meet local needs.

AnnMaura Connolly, President of Voices for National Service, who is hosting the awards reception said "under Mayor Walling's passionate leadership, the people of Flint have banded together to tackle common challenges, including blight and crime. Flint is a shining example of the improvements a service culture can bring to a struggling city."

Walling, who launched the Love Your Block initiative in which more than two million pounds of trash have been removed from Flint neighborhoods, said "receiving this award is a great honor and a testament to our flint citizens. I understand the impact service has both on those who have served and also those who serve."

The goal of national service is to address critical issues in communities across the country by providing the human capital needed to support education and health care initiatives, coordinate disaster relief and prevention, and enable senior independence.

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