National Volunteer Week Kicks Off in Illinois

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Volunteers from Naval Station Great Lakes dig up weeds from around the base of the Forrestal School brick sign during a school makeover in 2008. The makeover included sanding, painting, and landscaping followed by an unveiling ceremony and a ribbon cutting ceremony. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Thomas J. Miller (Released))
Volunteers from Naval Station Great Lakes dig up weeds from around the base of the Forrestal School brick sign during a school makeover in 2008. The makeover included sanding, painting, and landscaping followed by an unveiling ceremony and a ribbon cutting ceremony. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Thomas J. Miller (Released))

Volunteering is a deed that continuously rewards. Governor Pat Quinn realizes this and hopes to spur community involvement by encouraging Illinois residents to give back during National Volunteer Week, April 15-21, 2012.

The state operated website, serve.Illinois.gov, is a hub for potential volunteer opportunities for those interested in engaging in community renewal.

According to Quinn, volunteering is paramount when it comes to fortifying neighborhoods.

Service to others is the rent we pay for our place on earth, the governor said. National Volunteer Week is the perfect opportunity to give back, set a great example for others and work together to strengthen our communities.

In a news release, Quinns office cited a Volunteering in America Report that claims last year nearly 2.8 million Illinoisans gave back through churches, non-profits, businesses, little leagues, scout troops and a myriad of other organizations.

Residents volunteered 378.5 million hours, or about 34.8 hours per person. This service equates to over $8.4 billion in economic impact.

Along with time, a majority of Illinoisans gave at least $25 to a local charity.

"We believe that service is one of our State's greatest resources, Scott McFarland, deputy director of the Serve Illinois Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service, said. We envision an Illinois where everyone recognizes their ability and responsibility to help strengthen their communities by volunteering."

In a Presidential Proclamation, President Barack Obama heeded the necessity of National Volunteer Week.

Service is a lifelong pursuit that strengthens the civic and economic fabric of our nation, the President said. With every hour and every act, our lives are made richer, our communities are drawn closer, and our country is forged stronger by the dedication and generous spirit of volunteers. I encourage every American to stand up and play their part -- to put their shoulder up against the wheel and help change history's course.

Volunteering has many benefits on society and volunteers and is a great avenue for people to learn something new about themselves or hone a new skill.

Habitat for Humanity Chicago South Suburbs (HFHCSS) in Chicago Heights is one of many local organizations that are always looking for volunteers. A branch of the global group, Habitat for Humanity, HFHCSS helps build homes for families in the Southland. The housing ministry is in the process of building a two bedroom home in Park Forest.

Habitat for Humanity is a Christian housing ministry that was founded in 1976. Its purpose is to eradicate poverty housing and homelessness from the world. The organization has helped build over 500,000 homes and served more than two million people around the world, according to its website.

For more information on HFHCSS and its volunteer opportunities log on to www.gohabitat.net

By Thelma SardinTwitter: @thelmasardin

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