Thursday, October 1, 2026
One of Valley Stream’s youngest philanthropists was presented with three Presidential Service Awards she earned last year by the Village of Valley Stream on Feb. 8.
“I’m very proud and honored to introduce to you Isabella Murphy,” said Mayor Ed Fare. “Isabella, who is only 6 years old and in the first grade at William L. Buck School, has already made her mark in the community. Individuals like Isabella, who engage in community service activities, by their example inspire others to take action as well.”
The bronze, silver and gold awards represent three levels of service determined by volunteer hours accumulated during the year. The awards were created by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation in 2003 to recognize Americans of all ages who embrace the spirit of volunteerism.
Isabella has held a charity drive for children with lupus, got involved in the Color A Smile project, which distributes children’s drawings to seniors and troops overseas, and developed her own organization, Bella’s Blankets. With the help of her family, she donates blankets to children who are in the hospital to help comfort them.
Fare presented Isabella with a citation recognizing her achievement.
Her mother, Jayme, told the Herald in November that Isabella’s involvement in the America’s Miss pageant has imbued her daughter with a sense of social responsibility. She was crowned National Exemplar Queen Princess last year, a title that was designed for a candidate who demonstrates community service.
