volunteerism

18 Stories

Essayist: My Generation Has Warped Idea of Volunteering

Vox's Rachel M. Cohen came of age in an era when the focus was on systemic change

(Newser) - When a reader asked for advice on how one person could make a difference on homelessness, Rachel M. Cohen of Vox initially defaulted to big-picture ideas that might bring about systemic change—like helping get the right candidates in office or lobbying for new laws. When she called around to...

Can't Pay for Surgery? This Doctor Has a Creative Solution

Demetrio Aguila lets eligible patients put in volunteer hours for operations

(Newser) - "Who are my heroes? Who are the people I look at and say, 'That's who I want to be'?" For Demetrio Aguila, a Nebraska surgeon specializing in nerve pain, the answer to his own question is his father, also a physician—and one who loved helping...

5 Most, Least Charitable States
5 Most, Least
Charitable States
Nov 29, 2017 4:16 PM CST

5 Most, Least Charitable States

Utah is first, Hawaii dead last in WalletHub ranking of most giving states

(Newser) - Americans celebrated #GivingTuesday the day after Cyber Monday (and several days of other discounted holiday shopping ), reminding us to keep in mind those in need. That effort can come in the form of both money and time spent volunteering, both of which WalletHub tracked to see which US states...

10 States With Highest Volunteer Rate
10 States With
Highest Volunteer Rate
Feb 28, 2017 11:13 AM CST

10 States With Highest Volunteer Rate

Utah is way ahead of the pack

(Newser) - A quarter of Americans volunteer each year. But if you think that's an impressive figure, you clearly aren't from Utah. Largely thanks to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, a remarkable 43.2% of Utah residents 16 and older volunteered annually between 2013 and 2015, per...

Occupy Sandy: Movement Finds New Cause in Storm Relief

Young volunteers fan out in New York City after superstorm

(Newser) - You might be surprised at what has become a lauded and effective relief organization for victims of Superstorm Sandy: Occupy Wall Street. The social media savvy that helped Occupy protesters create a grass-roots global movement last year—one that ultimately collapsed under its leaderless format—is proving to be a...

Obama: Here's How to Honor 9/11 Victims

Mark the 10th anniversary by doing community service

(Newser) - In his weekly radio address, Barack Obama tackled the topic of Sept. 11 by urging Americans to mark the 10th anniversary of the attacks by volunteering. The attacks "brought out the best in the American people," he explained, noting that regardless of where you live, "every American...

US Volunteers Surge 1.6M in '09

Best numbers since 2005

(Newser) - Amid rough economic times, more Americans volunteered in their communities last year than at any time since 2005, spending almost 100 million more hours helping out last year. "People are turning toward problems, rather than away from them," says the head of the federal Corporation for National and...

Straighten Out Your Finances in 2010
 Straighten Out 
 Your Finances 
 in 2010 
resolutions
Jan 3, 2010 4:53 PM CST

Straighten Out Your Finances in 2010

Some simple moves can net $1K or more

(Newser) - On the eve of the first serious workday of the New Year, take a hard look at your finances and see where you can cut back in 2010. A relatively small investment in time can result in some serious savings, Kathy Kristof writes for the Los Angeles Times :
  • Save automatically:
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Beck Moves Obama From 'Hitler' to 'Mao'

Hollywood in cahoots with the prez to force us to volunteer

(Newser) - Apparently, Hollywood’s dumb-named “iParticipate” campaign is the worst thing since the Great Leap Forward. Sixty network shows will work volunteerism and community service into the plot this week, and in Glenn Beck’s mind, this, coupled with Obama's own push for volunteerism, is the stuff conspiracies are made...

Invasion of the Buddhist Body Snatchers Hits Bangkok

(Newser) - In the chaotic traffic of Bangkok, the first to arrive on the scene of an accident is often not an ambulance but a Toyota pickup packed with volunteers in blue jumpsuits. These are the controversial workers of the Por Tek Tung Foundation, who haul the injured to hospitals and the...

No Hard Knocks for Peace Corps in Downturn

Obama, recession boost interest in volunteer group

(Newser) - During a commencement address last month, Barack Obama singled out the Peace Corps as an American institution dedicated to "opportunity, equality, and freedom." As the Los Angeles Times reports, the president's glowing praise—combined with Obama-era idealism and a weak job market—has contributed to a 16% jump...

Obama Triples Size of AmeriCorps Program

(Newser) - President Obama today signed a bill to triple the size of the AmeriCorps national service program to 250,000 positions over eight years, CBS News reports. Obama signed the legislation with Sen. Ted Kennedy—"one of the finest leaders we've ever had"—nearby. The law, named after Kennedy,...

Life's a Beach? Not During Spring Break Recession

Cost-conscious students opt for more modest trips

(Newser) - College students are refusing to let the economy throw a wet blanket on spring break, Time reports. They're just not going to the usual—and expensive—spots. Flights to the Caribbean and Cancun have sunk about 20%, as many revelers head for Orlando, Los Angeles or New York instead. “...

Volunteer Boom Becoming a Burden

Charities overwhelmed by would-be free workers

(Newser) - As more people lose jobs, they’ve got hours to fill—and many are turning to volunteer work, looking to do good and perhaps network, the New York Times reports. But organizations have been so flooded that many have had to put would-be helpers on waiting lists—and for some,...

Obama Pitches Public Service—On the Net

USAService.org connects volunteers to projects

(Newser) - Barack Obama, like John F. Kennedy before him, has issued a call to service in a novel medium. For Kennedy it was television, and Obama, unsurprisingly, is using the Internet to drum up volunteerism, Time reports. USAService.org allows willing citizens to find projects, or even organize them, and capitalizes...

'Voluntourism' Feeds Profits, Not Mouths

Gap-year travelers waste their time and money, charity claims

(Newser) - A leading British charity has blasted the new "voluntourism" industry as an amateurish scam, writes the Times of London. The vogue for gap-year travel to developing countries, where young volunteers pay for the privilege of teaching children or building homes does little good and enriches nobody but the travel...

Indian Guru Embraces Life
Indian Guru Embraces Life
Jul 19, 2007 12:02 PM CDT

Indian Guru Embraces Life

Salon pays a call on the 'hugging saint' and meditates on the Amma empire

(Newser) - A 53-year-old fisherman's daughter from Kerala, India, stands at the center of an empire of idol worship and charitable works—stands there and hugs her disciples. Amma, a mother figure revered by many as a goddess, commands a kingdom of philanthropy, volunteerism, and merchandising, Salon reports. The reporter even jumps...

Look to the Middle & N.W. of the U.S. for Volunteers

California and East Coast M.I.A.

(Newser) - The Corporation for National & Community Service has released its report on volunteerism in America.  And the center of the country and the Pacific Northwest dominated the the top of the list with a whopping 40.5% of #1 Minneapolis-St. Paul residents age 16 and older engaging in volunteer...

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