Governor Rick Scott and Volunteer Florida Present Champion of Service Award

During a meeting of the Florida Cabinet today, Governor Rick Scott and Volunteer Florida CEO Chester Spellman awarded Steven Cleveland with the Volunteer Florida Champion of Service Award, Florida’s official statewide volunteer recognition.
Governor Scott said, “I applaud Steven’s commitment to helping and caring for his fellow Floridians in need. As director of the Florida Dream Center Adopt-A-Block, he has provided nearly 2,000 hours of service and inspired other members of the Tampa Bay community to get involved and make difference. I’m honored to recognize his impact on the lives and neighborhoods in his community with the Champion of Service Award today.”
Volunteer Florida Chief Executive Officer Chester W. Spellman said, “Volunteer Florida is honored to recognize Steven for his tireless commitment to Tampa’s underserved families and neighborhoods. We are grateful for the opportunity to recognize Steven for the countless hours he has spent helping his community.”
About the Champion of Service:
Steven Cleveland serves as the Director of the Florida Dream Center Adopt-A-Block program, which mobilizes volunteers throughout the Tampa area to distribute food, clothing, and household necessities to low-income families and persons experiencing homelessness. Adopt-A-Block also organizes neighborhood cleanups and gardening service projects to revitalize Tampa’s low-income areas. Steven has provided over 1,980 hours of civic engagement and community service in the Tampa area, impacting over 13,336 community members. Under Steven’s leadership, the Adopt-A-Block program mobilized 1,579 volunteers in 2016, who served over 5,200 hours of community service, distributed over 18,940 pounds of food, and completed revitalization projects in the local Lealman neighborhood. Steven also serves as a member of the Hillsborough County Parks and Recreation Executive Board of Directors.
Volunteer Florida is the Governor’s lead agency for volunteerism and national service in Florida, administering more than $32 million in federal, state, and local funding to deliver high-impact national service and volunteer programs in Florida. Volunteer Florida promotes and encourages volunteerism to meet critical needs across the state. Volunteer Florida also serves as Florida’s lead agency for volunteers and donations before, during, and after disasters. For more information, visit: www.volunteerflorida.org.