The City of Mesa, known for its sprawling desert landscapes and thriving suburban heartbeat, has added another feather to its cap by receiving the 2024 Global JustServe City recognition. This coveted award, presented at the National League of Cities conference in Tampa, was bestowed upon five cities globally, singling out those that have woven volunteerism into the very fabric of their communities. Among the honorees, alongside Mesa, are Boise, Nampa, Meridian in Idaho, and Spruce Grove in Alberta, Canada, as reported by the City of Mesa.
In a ceremony tinged with civic pride, Sara Anderson, a JustServe Outreach Specialist operating in Mesa, handed the award over to Mesa's Mayor John Giles and the local City Council members. With a recent city council meeting as their backdrop, Anderson attributed this accolade to the collective vision of the community leaders and their commitment, regularly volunteering side by side with the citizens of Mesa.
In her remarks at the award ceremony, Anderson told the City of Mesa, "volunteerism thrives here in Mesa is the thousands of volunteers who reach out and lend a hand to their neighbors throughout the year. Our city is safer, more beautiful, more welcoming, more resilient,more united, and a better place to live because of them." Recognizing the countless individuals who selflessly give back, Anderson shone a light on the essential role that volunteerism plays in bolstering the city's ethos.
Mayor Giles, commenting on the significance of this recognition, said to the gathered officials and residents, “Volunteerism is a great cornerstone of our great city and we're grateful for the of Mesa residents who selflessly give their time and talents to make our city stronger," according to the City of Mesa. Reveling in the honor of being globally acknowledged, Giles underscored how indispensable the contribution of the volunteers is to the city's fortitude.
