Showing posts with label Volunteerism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Volunteerism. Show all posts

Monday, April 18, 2005

National Volunteer Week 2005 proclamation By the President of the United States of America

National Volunteer Week 2005 proclamation By the President of the United States of America
Monday, April 18, 2005 5:30 PM

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

The great strength of our Nation is found in the hearts and souls of the American people. During National Volunteer Week, we recognize the millions of individuals who touch our lives as soldiers in America's armies of compassion. Our Nation's volunteers inspire us with their dedication, commitment, and efforts to build a more hopeful country for our citizens.

Americans take pride in the example of citizens who give their time and energy to care for the most vulnerable among us. In the past year, millions of volunteers have mentored children, provided shelter for the homeless, prepared for and responded to disasters, cared for the sick and elderly, fed the hungry, and performed other acts of kindness and community service. These selfless deeds have contributed to a culture of compassion and taught young people the importance of giving back to their communities.

My Administration is encouraging volunteer service through the USA Freedom Corps, and we have seen tremendous growth in the number of volunteers. Last year, over 64 million Americans offered their time as volunteers, an increase of nearly 5 million people since 2002. In the aftermath of the Indian Ocean tsunami, the world witnessed the compassion of our Nation as millions of our citizens donated generously to help the many people affected by the disaster. By participating in public service programs such as the Peace Corps, Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and grassroots efforts such as Citizen Corps, our citizens are helping others. My Administration also supports faith based and community groups whose volunteers bring hope and healing to those in need.

During National Volunteer Week, we thank those who volunteer to serve a cause greater than self, and I commend the more than 200,000 Americans who have earned the Volunteer Service Award from my Council on Service and Civic Participation. I urge all those who wish to get involved to visit the USA Freedom Corps website at www.usafreedomcorps.gov. By giving back to our communities, we can change America for the better one heart and one soul at a time.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim April 17 through April 23, 2005, as National Volunteer Week. I call upon all Americans to recognize and celebrate the important work that volunteers do every day across our country. I also encourage citizens to explore ways to help their neighbors and become involved in their communities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty ninth.

GEORGE W. BUSH

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Baltimore Sun Carroll Eagle: 
Tumblr: Kevin Dayhoff Banana Stems www.kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/
Kevin Dayhoff is an artist - and a columnist for:
Smurfs: http://babylonfluckjudd.blogspot.com/
Google profile: https://profiles.google.com/kevindayhoff/

E-mail: kevindayhoff(at)gmail.com

My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/


See also - Kevin Earl Dayhoff Art www.kevindayhoff.com: Travel, art, artists, authors, books, newspapers, media, writers and writing, journalists and journalism, reporters and reporting, music, culture, opera... Ad maiorem Dei gloriam inque hominum salutem. “Deadline U.S.A.” 1952. Ed Hutcheson: “That's the press, baby. The press! And there's nothing you can do about it. Nothing!” - See more at: http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/#sthash.4HNLwtfd.dpuf
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Thursday, May 24, 2001

Volunteering -- the gift of giving!

Volunteering -- the gift of giving!


The number of Americans over 60 years of age is 42 million-plus and growing. That's a lot of living, a lot of experience. As older persons, we are one of this country's greatest natural resources. We have so much to give and our talent and wisdom are needed at every level of American life. Offering your services helps put this much-needed knowledge and experience back into the community.

America has a proud tradition of neighbor helping neighbor, and today this volunteer spirit is need more than ever before. If you have finally won the right to pursue relaxation, purpose, and nobility, consider these reasons for volunteering your services:

It provides a way to be useful, help others, and do good deeds.

The work is enjoyable and makes one feel needed.

Volunteerism is good for the heart. It increases your self-esteem and competence as well as lessens stress and depression.

Studies show that people who volunteer live longer, healthier, and happier lives.

People are so in need of tender loving care that your volunteering efforts will reap appreciation.

After a lifetime of needing to take, retirement can be a time to give back.

Some programs, like the Senior Companion Program, respond to the greatest needs of seniors. Some day you may be in need of this aid.

You can help somebody not as healthy or fortunate as you.

And of course, you may have your own reasons.

"Volunteers"-- There's a Special Place in Heaven
Many may be shocked to find,
When the day of judgement nears,
That there's a special place in
heaven set aside for VOLUNTEERS.
Furnished with big recliners,
Satin couches and footstools;
When there's no committee chairman,
No group leaders or car pools.
No eager team that needs a coach,
No bazaar and no bake sale;
There will be nothing to staple,
Not one thing to fold or mail.
Telephone lists will be outlawed,
But a finger-snap will bring,
Cool drinks and gourmet dinners
And rare treats fit for a king.
You ask, who'll serve these privileged
few and work for all they're worth?
All those who reaped the benefits,
And not once volunteered on Earth.
There are numerous volunteer opportunities for senior citizens. Here is a partial listing:

The World Language Program is a non-profit organization that could greatly use the help of some senior volunteers. Please visit our page World Language Program http://www.blc.net/find/language/. If you will take a look at our page you will see how mutually benficial it would be both to retirees and ourselves. I am the coordinator and you can e-mail Bruce Beach - language@blc.net -- me for more information.


National Senior Service Corps, Corporation for National Service -- FGP (Foster Grandparents Program), RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program), SCP (Senior Companion Program), VISTA (Volunteers In Service To America).

American Cancer Society - CanSupport Visitor Program

SCORE -- Service Corps of Retired Executives

Ombudsman Volunteer -- responds to complaints on behalf of those living in long-term care facilities including: nursing homes, board and care, and residential care facilities.

AARP's volunteer programs -- a variety of programs, services, and activities that help older Americans through volunteers.
Many local activities like: Chamber of Commerce, Fish & Wildlife Service, Forest Service Volunteers, Hospice, Lions Club, National Park Service, Peace Corps, Red Cross, Respite Care, Rotary Club, United Way and more.


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Baltimore Sun Carroll Eagle: 
Tumblr: Kevin Dayhoff Banana Stems www.kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/
Kevin Dayhoff is an artist - and a columnist for:
Smurfs: http://babylonfluckjudd.blogspot.com/
Google profile: https://profiles.google.com/kevindayhoff/

E-mail: kevindayhoff(at)gmail.com

My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/


See also - Kevin Earl Dayhoff Art www.kevindayhoff.com: Travel, art, artists, authors, books, newspapers, media, writers and writing, journalists and journalism, reporters and reporting, music, culture, opera... Ad maiorem Dei gloriam inque hominum salutem. “Deadline U.S.A.” 1952. Ed Hutcheson: “That's the press, baby. The press! And there's nothing you can do about it. Nothing!” - See more at: http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/#sthash.4HNLwtfd.dpuf
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