“1.6 million more Americans volunteered in 2009 and spent 100 million more hours helping their communities last year.”
That brings the total number of volunteers in 2009 to 63.4 million. This is the biggest increase in a single year since 2003. These numbers only include those volunteers involved in formal organizations and not those who give in other ways.
"People are turning toward problems, rather than away from them,… people want to be part of the solution. They want to make a difference."This is the kind of example we SHOULD be setting for others and the lesson we should be teaching America’s children; that Americans work together in times of need to give each other a hand up. That we SEE each other and recognize the human being looking back.
If you want to look for volunteer opportunities, here is the link to Volunteer.Org to get you started. A little time, a lot of time, organizations will be happy to get whatever you can give and you'll be part of a group that is over 63 million strong.That's power!
A good reminder, Rocky. Volunteering really is a feel good kind of thing. I give a little time to the library once a week doing what I did when I first started out - shelving books!
ReplyDeletetnlib, it is a good feeling to give of yourself whether you spend a day shelving books or an hour driving all the kids to soccer practice or help a neighbor with a job.
ReplyDeleteVolunteering says we are engaged in our life and our community and we want to contribute to its improvement.
Allow me to be the first kick-a-tea-bugger volunteer!
ReplyDeleteTwo pieces of advice my father gave me that I never followed:
ReplyDeleteMarry a rich woman
Never volunteer.
Oh well, it's too late. . .
For the past three years, at the high school where I teach the seniors were required to do ten service/community hours for the year. Starting next year, all students will be required to do at least ten hours a year--to get to 50 when they graduate. And the county itself is pushing this for all of the middle and high schools in the area. The message is getting out. And the kids are finding rewarding projects, and rewards in the doing and giving.
ReplyDeleteLaura, that sounds like a wonderful program! Imagine teaching our teens about civic responsibility and compassionate sacrifice.
ReplyDeleteThey give up a little time, put out a little effort and I daresay many of those teens are probably telling others how little they give and how much they get back.
Just the satisfaction of helping someone else would be a big confidence booster.
Kudos to your school and to the kids!