Volunteerism honored during
National Volunteer Week
President George H.W. Bush's inauguration address in 1989 that praised "all the individuals and community organizations spread like stars through the nation, doing good."
During his first year, he founded the Points of Light Foundation and then launched the current volunteerism movement by signing the first piece of federal service legislation in 20 years, the National and Community Service Act of 1990.
Today, Points of Light partners with thousands of corporations and nonprofits through affiliate organization in 250 cities. More than 4 million Americans give 30 millions hours of service every year.
Celebrate Service. That's the message that local volunteer groups will be promoting between April 10-16, a week-long effort to inspire and encourage everyone to join and to work with their neighbors and business cohorts to address the myriad issues that prevent the full enjoyment of life.
Volunteers are needed to care for infants and teens with AIDS, provide job training for the homeless, teach immigrants English or illiterate adults to read, work with hospice patients or youth sports teams, deliver meals to shut-ins, mentor a child, or to provide monthly haircuts or manicures to those in a nursing home. Celebrate service by becoming a point of light in someone's life. Everyday should be a day to volunteer. National Volunteer Week began in 1974 when President Richard Nixon signed an executive order establishing the week as an annual celebration of volunteering. Every President since has signed a proclamation promoting National Volunteer Week.
