Volunteer


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We are looking for one million volunteers by December 31, 2008.
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According to the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency that promotes volunteerism and service, 65.4 million Americans volunteered in 2005. That number represents an upward trend, rising from 59.5 million in the wake of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. The economic value of volunteer hours during that period is a remarkable $450 billion.

While it's heartening to see that Americans are responding to our ever-changing world, this increase is still not enough to meet the country's basic demands in education, health, poverty, and the environment - not to mention the aftermath of the Gulf Coast's devastation by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Volunteering is the most effective way of solving our communities' problems. It brings us together and also strengthens us as a nation. The U.S. government has issued a call to increase the numbers of American volunteers to 75 million by 2010. CMT One Country strongly supports this goal and is urging one million viewers to find a way to get involved.

Volunteering is a challenging, yet, worthwhile commitment. Before you get started, there are several factors you should consider.

Here are some volunteer tips to help you gain the best service experience possible:

VOLUNTEER TIPS

  • Use your talents and skills. Find a project or program that fits your particular interests.
  • When you identify a project or program, interview the people in charge. Make sure it's a good fit.
  • Think about how you'd like to serve. Are you more comfortable in large groups (renovating a community center) or one-on-one (teaching someone to read)?
  • Don't take on more than you can handle. You know your limitations. Only pledge the amount of time with which you are comfortable.
  • Consider who is being helped and know that they need you.
  • Find opportunities to volunteer with your family.
  • Be open to learning from the experience. Volunteering can open your eyes in too many ways to count.
  • Find the joy in service. After all, it's not work!
Download a copy of the Volunteer Tips.

Maybe you're not sure about what you want to do. Here are some ideas to get you started:

VOLUNTEER IDEAS

  • Prepare and distribute meals to elderly neighbors.
  • Collect food from neighbors and donate it to a local food bank.
  • Visit someone in a hospital or nursing home.
  • Knit a scarf or blanket and deliver it to a homeless shelter.
  • Pick up trash at a local park.
  • Collect used books and donate them to libraries, jails, or shelters.
  • Stuff backpacks with school supplies and deliver them to schools.
  • Start recycling in your workplace or neighborhood.
  • Walk dogs at a local humane shelter.
  • Do lawn work for someone who can't.
  • Clean up a vacant lot.
  • Create a mural or public display to beautify an area.
  • Get involved in a national day of service - Make a Difference Day (http://www.usaweekend.com/diffday/) or MLK Day (http://mlkday.org/)
Download a copy of the Volunteer Ideas.

If you are a parent, we encourage you to teach your children the value of service as well. Studies show that children who volunteer are twice as likely to contribute as adults. Any of the ideas listed here are a great way to introduce them to volunteering. Help them get involved through school, church, or community center.

However you decide to volunteer, what you'll gain is immeasurable; what your community and country will gain, invaluable.