It’s April! Time to Celebrate Service! This year National Volunteer Week is April 6-12! All over the United States and Canada, this special week is set aside to recognize those who engage in their communities as volunteers in a myriad of ways, and to encourage others to do so. It’s about demonstrating that, by working together we can meet challenges and accomplish goals that lead to positive personal and social change and the building of communities.
2014 marks the 40th anniversary of this week of recognition and encouragement. Started in 1974, its longevity demonstrates the enduring importance of recognizing the effort and accomplishments of our country’s volunteers.
In 1989, President George H. W. Bush inspired the organization of Points of Light when he spoke of volunteers as “a thousand points of light.” Points of Light is currently the nation’s promoter of National Volunteer Week. Their vision for volunteer service mirrors that of our local Volunteer Bridge: That one day every person will discover their power to make a difference, creating healthy communities in vibrant, participatory societies, thereby shaping a movement to re-imagine the notion of citizenship for the 21st century.
Thank you to all who serve as volunteers. You make our communities vibrant through you demonstration of citizenship. Know that you are each making a powerful difference!
Thank you, also to the Citizen Newspaper! In the spirit of volunteer service, this newspaper routinely and year ‘round donates space to publish a variety of current needs for volunteers that are submitted by The Volunteer Bridge. Watch for it near the RSVP/Volunteer Bridge logo to find out how you can help.
Charlotte Strei,
RSVP Program Coordinator
Elk River, MN.
