Volunteers are answering president’s call to serve

January 18, 2010|Ann Sanner, Associated Press

WASHINGTON - When President Obama called for Americans to volunteer, Loretta Martin listened.

Martin, 61, a retired elementary teacher from Beachwood, Ohio, said the president motivated her when he said it doesn’t take much time to make a difference.

“He really pushes it, and I hear it all the time now,’’ she said.

Martin started in October tutoring first-graders for about 15 hours a week through Experience Corps. The nonprofit organization places people age 55 and older into elementary schools to help students with reading and writing.

“I knew that I had the skills to help, and I wanted to use those skills,’’ said Martin, who has worked as a literacy coach and was a volunteer for Obama’s presidential campaign. “It’s really rewarding to see what a little bit of time can make in the lives of kids. Just a little bit of attention makes a big difference.’’

Since taking office in January 2009, Obama has made it a priority to bolster national service programs. Both he and his wife, Michelle, have lectured at length on the topic, challenging others to donate their time to causes in their neighborhoods as a way to help where government alone cannot.

“We need your service right now, at this moment in history,’’ Obama said in April, when he signed into law a $5.7 billion bill to expand national service programs such as AmeriCorps. “I’m not going to tell you what your role should be. That’s for you to discover. But I’m asking you to stand up and play your part.’’

The Obamas practice what they preach. They have planted trees, packed backpacks for the military, and passed out Thanksgiving favorites at a food pantry. The president started “United We Serve,’’ a nationwide service initiative to get people involved in volunteering.

They planned to participate in a service event today, the federal holiday commemorating the birth of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.

Obama has drawn attention to community service and started a dialogue about how to help, according to organizers and nonprofit groups.

Anecdotally, they hear of people who have joined their causes because of the president. But they say it’s hard to pinpoint whether service overall is up because of his call for action. High unemployment and an already eager-to-serve generation of young people also have spurred interest in lending a hand.

“He has brought a spotlight to the grass-roots efforts that have really been there for some time and now are getting traction because of his impetus,’’ said Experience Corps’ chief executive, Lester Strong. “I think we have yet to see what the full effect will be.’’