A CALL TO SERVICE

Currently, Iowa is ranked third in the nation for its state volunteer rate (percentage of Iowans who volunteer), however the average number of hours volunteered is near the middle of the pack with Iowans on average volunteering 34.2 hours per year. In other words, Iowans are more likely to volunteer but on average volunteer fewer hours than the national average. As made evident in the Floods of 2008 and the spike in average volunteer hours following the flooding, when Iowans are presented a need and asked to help, Iowans step forward.

Volunteer Iowa: A Call to Service is making that ask. Not just because we want Iowa to be # 1 in volunteering; but, because we know that service is the secret ingredient to meeting all of Iowa goals for education, job creation, and health.

Through the “What’s Your 50?” campaign, we hope Iowan’s will increase their service activities to 50 hours per year. Contributing an extra 16 hours annually per resident would provide an additional $1 billion worth of services and improve the well being of the Iowans who volunteer. Research has shown that an annual contribution of 50 hours tends to be a tipping point for maximizing impact; both to the individual who volunteers and the benefactor of their service.

Imagine the difference we can make by working together to meet some of our communities’ toughest challenges!

Volunteer Iowa: A Call to Service is a public private partnership consisting of Iowa businesses, volunteer centers, nonprofits, and national service programs working in partnership with the Governor’s Office and the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service.

 

Call 319-272-2087 to volunteer! The Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley is happy to assist you with your volunteer needs.