Volunteers who bring the world to their community will be honored during National Volunteer Week, April 6-12. In particular, EF Educational Homestay Programs (EHP) — which has a Redmond location — thanks the host families whose generosity of time and spirit allow the nation’s largest international, summer homestay program to thrive.

This year’s National Volunteer Week theme is “Celebrate Service.”

National Volunteer Week, sponsored by the Points of Light Foundation, began in 1974 when President Richard Nixon signed an executive order establishing the week as an annual celebration of volunteering. Since then, every U.S. president has signed a proclamation promoting National Volunteer Week.

Since 1979, EHP’s team of dedicated volunteers, local coordinators and staff has helped more than 140,000 students from more than 20 countries participate in international exchange programs.