William Penn Life, 2002 (37. évfolyam, 1-11. szám)
2002-04-01 / 4. szám
Charitable National Volunteer Week It’s time to ‘Celebrate the American Spirit’ From the earliest days of our nation's history, the spirit of volunteer service has been reflected in neighbors helping neighbors to overcome obstacles to the pursuit of happiness. The freedom and individual rights at the core of our society come from a shared responsibility for the health and well being of our communities and for each other. For millions of Americans, volunteering is the key to healthy, fulfilling and meaningful lives. Volunteering is giving. There is so much we can receive. Volunteering renews our connection to our community, and builds self worth and social responsibility in our children. Through volunteering, we learn compassion, tolerance, and hopefully, a sense of duty to respond when people are in need. Volunteering may not always be easy, but it is always necessary. What would our lives be like, what would our community and our nation be like, without neighbors helping neighbors? The simple fact is volunteers provide compassion that government cannot always provide to everyone. Volunteers are the helping hand and human face of private and individual enterprise. They are the conscience of our society. They are thoughtful, committed citizens who continue to change our world-one activity at a time. Part of the volunteer world is right in your town, where people are making a difference. April 21 to 27 is National Volunteer Week, with its timely and appropriate theme, "Celebrate the American Spirit-VOLUNTEER!" The Points of Light Foundation and Volunteer Center National Network sponsor National Volunteer Week to provide an opportunity to put the spotlight on America's 109 million men and women who are engaged in volunteer efforts to help solve many of the social problems found in our communities and make them happier, healthier places to live. President George W. Bush said, "We will make a determined attack on need, by promoting the compassionate acts of others. We will rally the armies of compassion in our communities to fight a very different war against poverty and hopelessness, a daily battle waged house to house and heart by heart." If our democracy is to survive, we must continue to tap the creative energy of people to bridge gaps and connect individuals and communities. Working together as volunteers, we must create a new sense of community and of shared responsibility for our future. That future has begun. "Celebrate the American Spirit-VOLUNTEER!" the week of April 21 to 27, and every week. To learn more about National Volunteer Week activities in your area and other volunteer opportunities, call I -800-VOLUNTEER., or visit www, / 800Volunteer.org, which are sponsored by the Points of Light Foundation and the Volunteer Center National Network. m •• : V - . «ibrrtrsd ■ ! It Starts With Us June 15, 2002 The William Penn Association and America’s Fraternal Benefit Societies, in partnership with The Points of Light Foundation, invite you to be part of the second annual JOIN HANDS DAY, Saturday, June 1 5,2002. This day is dedicated to bringing youths, adults and community groups together to plan projects for their neighborhoods. Join us as we join hands for a better tomorrow. Call 1 -877-OUR-l DAY today for registration information. A JOINKlÄKlElSDAY it starts with us Sponsored by America’s Fraternal Benefit Societies In Partnership with The Points of Light Foundation www.joinhandsday.org Hillin Pm« Lift, April 2002 5 T
