Community 2008 Volunteer of the Year award Jeff Roberts, Kansas City, Mo. Since joining the National Psoriasis Foundation as a member in 2004, Jeff has dedicated numerous volunteer hours. In 2006, Jeff became a volunteer co-leader of two affiliated support groups in Kansas City, Mo. This year, Jeff is also chairing the National Psoriasis Walk for Awareness in Kansas City. In addition to his volunteer efforts, Jeff excels at advocacy work. Since 2005, Jeff has attended Capitol Hill Day. He shares the importance of advocacy, actively recruits others to participate in Capitol Hill Day, coaches his peers on how to be advocates and raises psoriasis awareness with members of Congress. In fact, Jeff successfully recruited his congressman, Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, D-Mo.-5th, to support H.R. 1188, the Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Research, Cure, and Care Act.

Volunteers play an important and valued role in the National Psoriasis Foundation, raising awareness about the disease, and helping others who suffer from it. Their efforts help advance the Foundation’s mission of improving the lives of people with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. The Psoriasis Foundation Volunteer of the Year award recognizes initiative, sustained commitment, impact and innovation in reaching the psoriasis community. Other Volunteer of the Year finalists include Cristy Boisvert, San Diego, Calif.; Karen Hebb, Boston, Mass.; and Brian Lehrschall, Raleigh, N.C. Congratulations to all! National Psoriasis Foundation Volunteer of the Year award applications for 2009 will be available next March. The award will be presented during Psoriasis Awareness Month in August, 2009. To learn more about volunteering and the Psoriasis Foundation, visit www.psoriasis.org/community/volunteer. The Volunteer of the Year program is sponsored by: