At the Nashville stop of the United Tour, co-headlined by Steven Curtis Chapman and Michael W. Smith, in front of a sell-out crowd, family and friends, Smith awarded Chapman with the Lifetime Volunteer Service Award from The President's Council on Service and Civic Participation. This service honor recognizes Chapman for his tireless work of caring for the millions of orphans around the world and for the ministry, Show Hope, which was started by he and his wife, Mary Beth. This lifetime achievement service award is the highest level possible from The President's Council.

The President's Council on Service and Civic Participation was established in 2003 to recognize the valuable contributions volunteers are making in our communities and encourage more people to serve. The Council created the President’s Volunteer Service Award program as a way to thank and honor Americans who, by their demonstrated commitment and example, inspire others to engage in volunteer service. Recognizing and honoring volunteers sets a standard for service, encourages a sustained commitment to civic participation, and inspires others to make service a central part of their lives. The Council was established to recognize the important contributions Americans of all ages are making within their communities through service and civic engagement. Administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service, it brings together leaders from the worlds of business, entertainment, sports, education, government, nonprofits, and the media. Smith is the Vice-Chair of The President's Council on Service and Civic Participation, co-chairing with Jean Case, founder of The Case Foundation. Some of the other serving Council members are Tony Dungy (former head coach, Indianapolis Colts), Cokie Roberts (ABC News political news correspondent) Roxanne Spillett (President of the Boys & Girls Club of America), among others. 

In a country that has a long and proud tradition of volunteer service, volunteers are committed more than ever to to help others in this country and around the world to bring us together as families, as neighbors, as communities, and as a nation. For more information about Show Hope and the President’s Volunteer Service Award, please visit www.ShowHope.org  and www.presidentialserviceawards.gov/tg/pvsainfo/dspAboutAwards.cfm.