Get Involved -- Events and Resources

April is full of opportunities to serve.  Here are some places to get started.

National Volunteer Week
April 15-21, 2007
Established in 1974 by President Nixon, National Volunteer Week has become an annual opportunity to celebrate the efforts of volunteers at the local, state, and national levels. The theme of this year's Points of Light Foundation-sponsored week is "Inspire by Example." Download the 2007 National Volunteer Week toolkit, sign up to give the President's Volunteer Service Award, or learn more about celebrating volunteerism here.

National & Global Youth Service Day
April 20-22, 2007
The largest service event in the world, National & Global Youth Service Day supports youth on a lifelong path of service and civic engagement, and educates the public, the media, and elected officials about the role of youth as community leaders. Millions of youth are expected to participate this year -- tutoring young children, engaging in disaster relief, registering new voters, educating their communities about good nutrition, distributing HIV/AIDS prevention materials, and meeting many more community needs through their service. National Global Youth Service Day is a program of Youth Service America.

Earth Day
April 22, 2007
The 38th annual call to action on environmental issues offers an opportunity to participate in volunteer activities around the world. Learn more about the events being held in your area by visiting the Earth Day Network. Or read about the U.S. government's activities and ways to take action as an individual or in your community at EarthDay.gov.

USA Freedom Corps
The USA Freedom Corps was established to carry out the president's call to service. The Freedom Corps promotes and expands volunteer service in America by partnering with national service programs, working to strengthen the nonprofit sector, recognizing volunteers, and helping to connect individuals with volunteer opportunities. To find a volunteer opportunity at home or abroad visit Volunteer.gov.

President's Volunteer Service Award
Looking for a way to honor your volunteer's during National Volunteer Week? The President's Volunteer Service Award was created to recognize outstanding volunteers of all ages who dedicate a significant amount of time in service to their communities.  More than 20,000 Americans will receive the President's Volunteer Service Award during National Volunteer Week.  It's not too late to recognize your volunteers with this special honor -- register online and use National Volunteer Week as a time to place a spotlight on your organization's most dedicated volunteers.

The LEAGUE
Established to educate youth about their community and engage them in meaningful service, the LEAGUE is a sports-type system for schools and students that incorporates players, coaches, points, standings, fans, box holders, and playbooks to maximize the appeal of volunteerism. On Earth Day, the last major event of the LEAGUE season, students across the country will identify and implement projects in their school, neighborhood, or community related to environmental stewardship and making their physical surroundings "a better place." To learn more about the LEAGUE and to download Earth Day lesson plans, visit the LEAGUE.

VolunteerMatch
This online service offers extensive search tools and resources for both volunteers seeking specific opportunities and organizations looking to recruit volunteers.