President Bush on Volunteerism
With vigor I applaud President Bush’s call to expand the world of volunteerism. Americans lead the world in sharing their time and talents with their fellow citizens, making our nation a better place to live.
One word of caution, however, would I pass on. I hope there are no new programs set up where ones already exist.
Hundreds of volunteer centers operate throughout the country, efficiently uniting volunteers with nonprofit agencies and government offices. Some also work with those referred through the courts.
The Volunteer Center in the San Fernando Valley, for example, handles over 25,000 clients a year and is the largest in the country for court referrals.
It would be a shame to duplicate rather than just expand such expertise.
What a delight it is to see volunteering receive encouragement on the national level.
JERRI SPOEHEL
Northridge
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