Volunteerism

June 22, 2009 -- Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) joined President Barack Obama today in calling on Americans to participate in the United We Serve Initiative. United We Serve is a summer-long initiative sponsored by the White House and the Corporation for National Service. It begins today and will end on September 11th with the new National Day of Service and Remembrance.    » read more »

Citi Employees to Participate in More Than 80 Community Service Events Nationwide This Summer

June 22, 2009 -- New York – As the Obama Administration unveils its "United We Serve" campaign today, Citi is proud to answer the President's call to service and pledge its support to communities throughout the country. Citi volunteer employees of all ranks will participate in more than 80 events nationwide, and this number is expected to grow throughout the summer.

Service areas on which Citi is focused include community renewal, clean energy, education and health care reform.    » read more »

June 22, 2009 -- SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK, VA -- Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today joined volunteer and youth groups at Shenandoah National Park as part of a national kickoff for President Obama’s new “United We Serve” campaign. The Secretary helped the groups remove nonnative plants that have invaded the natural ecosystem adjacent to Big Meadows Swamp.    » read more »

Highlights USDA's Summer Food Service Program That Helps Feed Hungry Kids During Summer Months

WASHINGTON, June 22, 2009 - Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan today took part in the Obama Administration's 'United We Serve' initiative by serving breakfast to kids at Morgan Day Care in Silver Spring, Md. Merrigan was joined by Maryland Secretary of Agriculture Earl "Buddy" Hance, and together they shared nutrition tips with pre-school children at the day care center.

Morgan Day Care participates in USDA's Child and Adult Care Food Program and runs the Summer Food Service Program at nearby Piney Branch Elementary School.    » read more »

June 22, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. - In anticipation of President Barack Obama's launch of "United We Serve," Sierra Club members and supporters have been mobilizing to organize service events around the country. Sierra Club activists are using the opportunity to promote not only community service, but projects that illustrate how service can help improve the environment and help communities at the same time.

Events range from historic trail restoration, to river cleanups, water monitoring, and electronics recycling.    » read more »

Interior Department Launches Call to Service for Summer Outdoor Mentoring Projects

Shenandoah National Park, VA (June 22) -- National Wildlife Federation joined the Department of the Interior at today’s kickoff of United We Serve and is joining the national effort launched by President Obama to engage more Americans in serving their communities this summer.

As part of the President’s Summer of Service initiative, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar issued a call to action for every adult to mentor a child outdoors this summer. Secretary Salazar spoke at the Big Meadows Campground with volunteers who removed invasive species in Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park.    » read more »

Governor Doyle and Members of Administration to Donate Time to Organizations

June 22, 2009 -- MADISON, MILWAUKEE – Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle today called on Wisconsin residents to answer President Obama’s call to service, “United We Serve,” a sustained effort to help in our nation’s recovery by calling on Americans to volunteer in their communities. The Governor kicked-off the United We Serve national community service campaign in Wisconsin today by volunteering in Madison and Milwaukee.    » read more »

Governor encourages sustained involvement by Virginia volunteers in their communities; First Lady Holton joins Secretary of the Interior Salazar to kick of Presidential initiative

June 22, 2009 -- RICHMOND - Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine today applauded the launch of the United We Serve initiative, a national effort by the Obama administration to promote and sustain community involvement. To kick off the initiative in Virginia, First Lady Anne Holton and Deputy Secretary of Natural Resources Nikki Rovner joined U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar at the Big Meadows area of Shenandoah National Park to perform invasive weed removal. Governor Kaine will participate in a number of programs throughout the summer as part of the initiative.    » read more »

Summer of Service to Run June 22-Sept. 11

6/22/2009 -- Raleigh -- North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue today announced that the Governor’s Office and the state’s departments and agencies will participate in United We Serve, a national effort launched by President Obama to engage more Americans in serving their communities this summer.

“These 11 weeks are a time for North Carolinians to take the lead in organizing service projects and forging partnerships with local organizations to get their communities back on track,” Perdue said. “Whether you are working in a soup kitchen, reading to a child or helping out a friend in need, everyone’s small efforts can create some big results.”    » read more »

June 18, 2009 -- Colorado Governor Bill Ritter announced seven Colorado organizations have been awarded almost $1.4 million in AmeriCorps*State grants from the Corporation for National and Community Service. These awards are funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Bill signed in April by President Barack Obama.

The funding means communities around Colorado will have 612 AmeriCorps members working on projects to assist in areas impacted by the economic downturn. The funds will be used to expand existing community activities such as tutoring, building affordable housing, environmental restoration, after school programs, teaching computer skills, responding to disasters, improving health services and others.    » read more »

Calls on All Americans to Commit to Meaningful Volunteer Service in Their Daily Lives

June 17, 2009 -- President encourages Americans to visit www.serve.gov to find and create service projects in their communities, share stories about projects they’re working on    » read more »

5/6/2009 -- North Carolina Governor Perdue today announced that the North Carolina Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service received $891,387 in American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) funding to expand the capacity of four of its existing AmeriCorps programs.

“This funding makes sure that our AmeriCorps programs and the important services they provide will continue to benefit the people of North Carolina,” said Gov. Perdue. “Through these programs, at-risk children and families in need will continue receiving the services they need.”

The following N.C. AmeriCorps programs received funding:    » read more »

April 21, 2009 -- The Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act will triple the size of AmeriCorps (from 75,000 to 250,000 members) and focus that service on today’s challenges, including clean energy, education, health care, veterans care, and economic opportunity. The bill will also provide new service opportunities for millions of Americans at all stages of their lives. The legislation will develop a fund to seed and grow successful ideas in the nonprofit sector and build the capacity of the nonprofit sector to use volunteers more effectively.

BACKGROUND ON CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE:

The Corporation for National and Community Service plays a vital role in supporting the American culture of citizenship, service and responsibility.    » read more »

April 21, 2009 -- Washington, DC – AARP today applauded President Barack Obama for enacting a volunteer service bill that he called for during his candidacy and throughout the beginning of his term. AARP CEO Barry Rand, present at today’s ceremony, released the following statement:

“At a time when many communities are in great need, AARP applauds President Obama for signing the bi-partisan Serve America Act into law. This is important legislation that will strengthen and expand civic engagement and volunteer opportunities for people of all ages.    » read more »

Enactment of Landmark National Service Legislation Provides Innovative Volunteer and Service Opportunities to Meet Needs of New York State Communities

April 21, 2009 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson today applauded President Barack Obama for signing into law the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, as well as Congress for passing this legislation, which will expand national service and volunteer programs, tackle the most pressing community challenges and create a renewed era of civic responsibility.    » read more »