University of Pittsburgh Athletics
11/5/2026 6:52:00 AM | Football
Former Panthers placekicker recognized for more than 4,000 hours of community service
PITTSBURGH—University of Pittsburgh alumnus and former Panthers placekicker Don Silvestri has received the President's Volunteer Service Award – Lifetime Achievement, recognizing his decades of service to children, families and his community.
Silvestri accepted the honor in Washington, D.C. The award's Lifetime Achievement level recognizes individuals who have completed at least 4,000 hours of volunteer service.
"It was a tremendous honor to receive this award, especially when you look at the people who have received it in the past and the thousands of hours they have devoted to serving others," Silvestri said. "To be included among that group is pretty humbling."
Silvestri and his wife, Alissa, have fostered 14 children and adopted four. His commitment to supporting children and families also includes delivering holiday toys and gifts to SOS Children's Village in South Florida.
Following the 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Silvestri became a founding board member of Parkland Cares. The organization raised more than $1 million to provide mental health counseling for members of the community.
Silvestri currently serves as president of Debt.com, where he launched Debt.com Cares, and president of the NFL Players Association South Florida Chapter. The chapter represents former players in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties and makes community service a central part of its mission.
Following his Pitt career, Silvestri spent time as a placekicker with the New York Jets, Buffalo Bills and Seattle Seahawks. His involvement with NFL charitable initiatives continued after his playing career.
Former teammate Ben Williams, a fellow NFLPA chapter president and previous recipient of the award, presented Silvestri with the honor.
"Having Ben Williams present the award to me made it even more special," Silvestri said. "Ben is a former teammate, a fellow NFLPA chapter president, and a previous recipient of the award himself, so having him be the one to hand it to me meant a lot personally."
Established in 2003, the President's Volunteer Service Award recognizes individuals whose volunteer efforts strengthen their communities.
