There’s always work for volunteers

In 2000, 83.9 million adults volunteered for an average of 3.6 hours per week. Yet their work represented the equivalent of more than 9 million full-time employees at a value of $239 billion, according to the Independent Sector.

In 2001, President George W. Bush called for citizens to perform two years—or the equivalent of 4,000 hours—of their lifetimes in citizen service; groups like the Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network are making it easier for people to answer that call.

By visiting via computer www.1800VOLUNTEER.org or calling (800) VOLUNTEER, you can find volunteer projects in your community that fit your interests and time.

"Our nearly 450 volunteer centers stand ready to help residents get connected to their communities through volunteering on a regular basis or on the national days of service that we’ve assembled on our Seasons of Service calendar," said Robert K. Goodwin, president and chief executive officer of the Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network. The Seasons of Service calendar is a list of theme-based volunteer activities that occur annually.

The remaining 2003 Seasons of Service dates are:

•National Youth Service Day: April 11 to 13 recognizes young people for their volunteer efforts.

• National Volunteer Week: beginning the last Sunday in April, this is the official time to celebrate volunteers locally, statewide and nationally.

The week will be the official wrap-up of the Unity in the Spirit of America initiative, a national program to create living memorials through volunteering in honor of lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001 (www.usa.pointsoflight.org) .

•Join Hands Day: the third Saturday in June. This event unites young people with adults to create new and better working relationships.

•Make A Difference Day: On the fourth Saturday in October, millions of men, women and children make a difference in their communities.

•National Family Volunteer Day: on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, it’s a day that engages families in volunteer activities to strengthen families and transform neighborhoods.

To find out more visit www.pointsoflight.org, then click on programs and scroll to Seasons of Service.

This story was provided by the North American Precis Syndicate.