On June 21st, 2023, the World Mission Society Church of God was awarded with the prestigious Presidential Award at the LifeStream Headquarters in San Bernardino, California. Dr. Rick Axelrod, the President/CEO of LifeStream Blood Bank presented the award to the Church of God in San Diego and Escondido. This was in recognization to their unwavering commitment to service, in particular with their life saving blood drives.
On October 30th 2022, these churches joined together to help Lifestream by donating more than 500 pints of blood to save 1,500 lives in Santee, Southern California. Not only on this occasion, but the Church of God has partnered with LifeStream on numerous occasions to carry out life-saving blood drive events. Members of the community were encouraged to volunteer their time to donate blood in an effort to alleviate the severe shortage of blood in the county.
San Diego County is severely impacted by a shortage of blood donations driven by COVID-19 and an increase of hospitalizations. As a result, medical centers found it challenging to provide adequate support to patients in need of blood. By donating blood together with LifeStream, we assisted in fulfilling the daily 500 blood donations needed to service 80 southern California hospitals and medical facilities.
Through our multiple partnerships and the mind to fulfill one purpose of saving lives, the Church of God was able to earn the Presidential Award, meaning that the Church of God contributed many volunteer hours, time and commitment to this mission. LifeStream Blood Bank’s President/CEO expressed his thankfulness by saying, “We are honored to be their partner and thank them in supporting our mission in saving lives”.
The President’s Volunteer Service Award is the highest award for organizations in United States of America. The U.S. President’s Volunteer Service Award is a premier volunteer award given to individuals or groups that have carried out volunteer services for neighbors and communities in the United States. According to the hours of service achievement, the award is classified into three levels, Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Those who contribute more than 4,000 hours of volunteer service in their lifetime receive the highest honor, the Lifetime Achievement Award, in addition to receiving the Bronze, Silver, and Gold awards. During this honorable event, the Church of God was recognized with the U.S. President’s Volunteer Service Silver Award for both churches of San Diego and Escondido.
Pastor Noah Yoon receiving the award on behalf of San Diego Church of God from Dr. Rick Axelrod
Pastor Miguel Zapien receiving the award on behalf of Escondido Church of God from Dr. Rick Axelrod
