Public Service
Recognition Week

May 2-8, 2021

36 years of honoring public servants and connecting our government to the people it serves

#PSRW

Public Service Recognition Week is celebrated the first week of May since 1985 (beginning on the first Sunday of the month) to honor the people who serve our nation as federal, state, county, local and tribal government employees.

By signing up for PSRW, you will be featured on the participating organizations page and will receive PSRW updates and materials.

See the 2021 participating organizations

Federal government

Bureau of Land Management, Department of the Interior

Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, Department of Homeland Security

Defense Finance and Accounting Service, Department of Defense

Department of Agriculture

Department of Commerce

Department of Education

Department of the Navy

Department of the Treasury

Department of Transportation

Department of Homeland Security

Department of Housing and Urban Development

Department of State

Department of the Interior

Department of Veterans Affairs

Environmental Protection Agency

Federal Communications Commission

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

Federal Maritime Commission

Federal Railroad Administration, Department of Transportation

Federal Trade Commission

General Services Administration

Internal Revenue Service. Department of the Treasury

Library of Congress

National Archives and Records Administration

National Credit Union Administration

National Institute of Standards and Technology, Department of Commerce

National Park Service

Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Office of Federal Student Aid, Department of Education

Office of Management and Budget

Office of Personnel Management

Office of the Secretary of Defense, Joint Staff, Defense Agencies, and Department of Defense Field Activities.

Public Buildings Service, General Services Administration

Selective Service System

Small Business Administration

Social Security Administration

Transportation Security Administration

U.S. Special Operations Command, Department of the Army

United States Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security

U.S. Census Bureau, Department of Commerce

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs

William J. Perry Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies

State and local government

Alameda County, Calif

California Department of Toxic Substances Control

California Governer’s Office of Emergency Service

Citrus County, Fla.

City of Albany, N.Y.

City of Alliance, Neb.

City of Andover, Mass.

City of Augusta, Kan.

City of Bakersfield, Calif.

City of Brooklyn Park, Minn.

City of Ceres, Calif.

City of Detroit, Mich.

City of Downey, Calif.

City of Dunedin, Fla.

City of Houston, Texas

City of La Porte, Texas

City of Mesquite, Texas

City of Ravenna, Ohio

City of Selah, Wash.

City. of Richmond, Va.

HR, City of Sugar Land, Texas

Hillsborough County, Fla.

Kent County, Del.

Monterey County, Calif.

New Hampshire Veterans Home

Office of Management and Budget, State of Delaware

Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics

Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth

Oklahoma Department of Corrections

Pima County, Ariz.

San Diego County Water Authority

South Carolina First Steps for School Readiness Board

Southwestern Virginia Mental Health Institution

Superior Court of Placer County, Calif.

Texas Department of State Health Services

Texas Health and Human Services

Town of Elon, N.C.

Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice

Washington Department of Services for the Blind

Private sector

Accenture Federal Services

Cipla Limited

Cooperative Personnel Services, Inc.

Grant Thornton

Perspecta

Spring Dynamic

SVP Worldwide

Nonprofit

American Society for Public Administration

Federal Asian Pacific American Council

International Association of Workforce Professionals

International City/Council Management Association

League of United Latin American Citizens

National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association

National Association of Assistant U.S. Attorneys

Professional Managers Association

Senior Executives Association

Society for Human Resource Management

Education

Mitchell County 4-H Youth Development

The Evergreen State College

University of Maryland Global Campus

University of Washington Tacoma Professional Development Center

City of Andover, Mass.

Join the Celebration

Our 2021 events will be held virtually, but we’re still planning to celebrate Public Service Recognition Week. You may also submit a virtual event for consideration into the calendar.

Hosting a PSRW event?

We want to share your event with others. Share your event with us to be listed on our events page.

Submit an event

Rewatch the 2020 Sammies Finalist Event

Axios and the Partnership teamed up with CNN’s Anderson Cooper and bestselling author Michael Lewis to bring you a glimpse of the work by the 2020 finalists.

Watch the event

Join the #IServeBecause Campaign

If you are a current federal employee, we encourage you to take the “I Serve Because” survey so we can share your responses during PSRW and highlight the importance of public service in our country.

Take the survey

Tools and Resources

Throughout the country, mayors, governors, agency leaders, communities and public service organizations show appreciation to government employees by issuing proclamations, hosting award ceremonies, sharing stories of excellence in public service and more.

How to Celebrate PSRW

There are many simple, low-cost ways to celebrate public servants in your community during Public Service Recognition Week (PSRW). Ideas range from sending letters to public employees to organizing a celebration showcasing the work of government agencies in your local area. Our guide provides a full list of suggestions and actions you can take during the week.

Celebration Toolkit #GovPossible Toolkit PSRW Logo 2021 PSRW Banner

Audience Guides

Our tailored guides for federal agencies, Capitol Hill, local chapters and teachers provide specific recommendations for what you can do to celebrate federal workers during #PSRW.

Federal Agencies Capitol Hill Local Chapters Teachers

Use one of our white board templates to write why you serve or support public serviants. Take a picture and share it on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

I Serve Because… I Appreciate Public Servants Because…

Activities for children

Share the #PSRW celebration with your little ones! Print out these activity sheets for your kids to enjoy during all of this time at home.

Word Search Coloring Sheet “Thank You” Coloring Sheet

Try out our sample posts and images on social media! You can use our #PSRW graphic on Facebook or add a fun sticker to your Instagram story. Browse through all our templates for agencies, public servants and more.

Social Posts Facebook Frame 1 Facebook Frame 2 Photo Challenge #PSRW Gif Sticker General Thank You First Responder Thank You

Events

Feds in Motion 35 Challenge

Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund

The Feds In Motion 35 Challenge kicks off Public Service Recognition Week (#PSRW) and is all about moving in your favorite way — walk, run, bike, swim, or roll your wheelchair on your favorite route — to reach the goal of 35 miles (or more!) in 35 days. Participants get T-shirts, certificates, prizes, and other cool swag. Participate on your own or with family, friends or coworkers. The challenge runs until June 2 and includes five Wellness Wednesday lunchtime virtual events. All registration proceeds go to the he Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund’s disaster relief, emergency hardship loan, and scholarship programs.

May 2–June 2, 2021

Learn More

FedUpward Podcast Recognizes Sammies Winners

The FedUpward Podcast

The FedUpward Podcast will release a series of episodes featuring winners of the Service to America Medals, as well as other feds, highlighting accomplishments of the diverse, amazing workforce that serves our nation. Episodes will be available at FedUpward.com, and via Apple, Spotify and iHeartRadio podcast apps.

May 2, 2021

Learn More

2021 Excellence in Government Awards Program

Oklahoma Federal Executive Board

The Excellence in Government Awards Program, sponsored by the Oklahoma Federal Executive Board, recognizes current military, postal, and federal civilian employees for their individual and team accomplishments both in the workplace and the community at large across the state of Oklahoma.

May 4, 2021

Learn More

#IServeBecause

“While making an impact within public service is often a marathon and not a sprint, knowing that my work makes a difference is something I value tremendously. While it may not be glamorous to ensure publicly funded programs are correctly managed and taxpayer money is handled correctly, it comes with a tremendous sense of duty I have not experienced in the private sector.”

Kyle B., GSA

“Public service is important to me because I like helping people, especially those who may be at greater risk to physical or environmental hazards. I also find it important to be a voice for that which can’t speak up for itself – namely the natural environment: plants, trees, rivers, lakes and animals of all kind.”

Bryan F., EPA

“I worked for years in the private sector, and I was never satisfied; although, I was well paid. My country is important to me, and public service allows me to join the fight to keep our country and the Constitution alive!”

Amy M., DOD

“I believe it is very important to take care of the people not only in our country, but also in the communities in which we live. I think if it were not for our public service personnel, this country wouldn’t be able to continue to function and go on as it has during this crisis and every crisis that has occurred before it.”

Sonsauray D., IRS