Oklahoma Volunteer Receives Honor From President Biden For His Commitment To Community Service

Volunteering time in the community brings joy to some people. One Oklahoma City man has donated more than 4,000 hours of his time to Oklahoma. His service was recognized all the way from the nation's capital. 

Anyone who stops by the business front along Wilshire Creek Boulevard in Oklahoma City will find Kyle Reed who will be happy to share the impact AmeriCorps Oklahoma and Red River Community Corps make every day.  

“I do think that AmeriCorps is one of the best-kept secrets right now,” said Reed, operations manager at AmeriCorps Oklahoma. “AmeriCorps is a federal agency that funds volunteerism and national service projects.” 

With any community need – money is required. “Absolutely and that’s where we come in,” Reed said. 

AmeriCorps connects community organizations to federal dollars that fund needed service projects. “Then we would provide them with individuals who want to serve in that community to kinda help close that gap,” Reed said. “I think I realized how great the need was,” Reed said. 

He understands the need because he worked on the front lines of AmeriCorps in Tulsa from 2014 to 2015. Reed worked with children who struggled in life. The President of the United States knows about Reed’s passion for service.  “I was really surprised,” Reed said. 

The Biden Administration awarded Reed the President’s Volunteer Service Award for his service to his community.  “Definitely very honored,” Reed said. “You know it’s nice to be recognized for that.” 

Reed said this experience teaches priceless knowledge about the lives people live. Reed feels a personal responsibility to help people.“I’m a white male. My family’s affluent and I have a lot of privilege,” Reed said. “I have frittered away more opportunities a lot of people get.” 

Of course, money helps get things started – but this work requires people like Reed who live for others. “I actually experienced those moments with the kids sometimes firsthand. I think that leaves an indelible mark on you,” Reed said.