Volunteering is an Important Family Holiday Tradition

Giving Back to the Community During the Holiday Season is a Worthwhile Experience

by Dorielle Hammonds

First Lady Maria Shriver believes that "one of California's greatest resources is the diversity of its people and communities. To further aid our fellow citizens in making this great state of California even greater, Ms. Shriver has become the honorary chairperson for the California Service Corps' (CSC) CaliforniaVolunteers.org.

CaliforniaVolunteers.org is the largest volunteer network in the nation and provides a variety of volunteer opportunities throughout the Golden State in which you and your family may make a tremendous difference.

CaliforniaVolunteers.org seeks the following: to assist non-profit organizations with their search for aid, provide opportunities within the interest of the volunteer, and, most importantly, to inspire all Californians to connect to their communities. Through the website, you'll be able to conveniently search for information and locate volunteer opportunities by region, subject matter, and or length of commitment.

A June 2006 report released by the Corporation for National and Community Service says that California ranks 40th amongst the 50 states in volunteerism. Karen Baker, Executive Director of the California Service Corps, knows that Californians can drastically change these statistics. "Many nonprofits lack resources to adequately market their service opportunities, creating a disconnect between the high level of interest Californians have in serving and the actual time they are able to commit to volunteering. CaliforniaVolunteers.org connects volunteers to organizations, helping to close that gap." Launched in October 2006, CaliforniaVolunteers.org already features over 25,000 volunteer opportunities across the state that you and your family may choose from. Maria Shriver sees the enormous impact that this program will have not only on our state but our entire country. "This exciting new initiative is a model for other states that want to engage citizens to make a difference, one volunteer opportunity at a time."

Now, it's your turn. Take the time, to address this issue with your children. The more they know now, the more they will be inspired to do from now on to help those in need.

Visit CaliforniaVolunteer.org today to find out how best you and your family may participate.