Old Harbour’s Donna Moore-Stewart dedicates US President’s award to charity supporters

Named after her late mother, the Pollyanna Project, caters to the needs of children in Moore-Stewart’s birth country of Jamaica and around the world.

Moore-Stewart grew up in the town of Old Harbour, Jamaica before immigrating to the United States where she has dedicated much of her time volunteering to help the less fortunate in the US and across the globe working with other international charity organisations.

After 28 years of volunteerism, her work and worth were formally recognised Saturday night at the U.S. President’s Volunteer Service Awards Fundraising Gala at the Hilton Long Island Huntington.

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To loud cheers inside the ball room, Moore-Stewart was deservedly bestowed with the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award, the highest honour for volunteers in the United States of America.

“This is for those friends, who support the Pollyanna Project by sending my team and I, to help those in need. Please continue to support. As we grow we need your contribution. Your donation. Your time. Please consider joining our team to help more,” Moore-Stewart wrote on her personal Facebook page.

In her acceptance speech, the New Yorker and Old Harbour High School alum, expressed gratitude to her family, relatives, friends and volunteers for supporting her over the years.

“I accept this award not only for myself but also on the behalf of everyone who has encouraged, supported, cheered and journeyed with me over these past twenty-eight years,” she stated. “I could not have done this alone. Your hard work has certainly helped to make a valuable contribution in helping to advance the lives of these children. I am truly overwhelmed by your love and support.

“Thanks to all the volunteers of the Pollyanna Project around the world.”

Established in 2003 under then US President George W. Bush, the US President’s Volunteer Service Award is segmented into four categories – gold, silver, bronze and the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award – the latter recognised as the most prestigious.

With few to ever receive the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award, Moore-Stewart is now in elite company, joining notable American figures like S. Truett Cathy, Mark Carman, and Zach Bonner as honorary recipients.

On the citation to Moore-Stewart, affixed with the signature of President Joe Biden, it read in part: “I congratulate you on taking it upon yourself to contribute to the public good, and I’m proud to present you with the President’s Lifetime Achievement award in recognition of your 4,000 hours of service to this great nation.

“By sharing your time and passion, you are helping discover and deliver solutions to the challenges we face – solutions that we need now more than ever. We are living in a moment that calls for hope and light and love. Hope for our futures, light to see our way forward and love for one another. Through your service, you are providing all three.

“On behalf of the American people, I extend my heartfelt appreciation to you for your volunteer leadership, and encourage you to continue to answer the call to serve. The country is counting on you.”