More Americans Catching Volunteer Spirit

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By Susan Kinzie

Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, October 15, 2009; 6:06 PM

Volunteerism in the United States has jumped 33 percent since 1989, according to Points of Light Institute, from about one in every five Americans to more than one in every four participating last year.

That's 23 million more people chipping in, for a total of nearly 62 million nationwide.

The increase is probably due to a number of shifts, said Michelle Nunn, chief executive of Points of Light, the service organization launched by President George H. W. Bush, including presidents promoting volunteerism, and businesses, schools and other institutions incorporating service into their operations. "There's been a 20-year rising tide of service and volunteerism across the country," Nunn said. "President Obama has quickened the pace with changes in the past year, with the . . . Serve America Act, and the entertainment industry next week will be embedding a call to serve in 100 shows. It's exciting to be a part of this."

United Way Worldwide reported a nearly 2 percent increase in the number of volunteers in 2008, with nearly 30,000 more people making the total number of volunteers almost 2.6 million in the United States.