Americans Answering Call to Volunteer Service

Just as the White House begins recruiting 77 million baby boomers for public service, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that an increased number of Americans participated in volunteer service in the past year.

BLS reported that from September 2004 to September 2005, about 65.4 million people participated in volunteer work, up from 64.5 million for the similar period ended in September 2004. The percentage of the American population who volunteered during the past year, however, remained at the same level as in 2004 at 28.8 percent.

According to this press release from USA Freedom Corps, women volunteered at a higher rate than men across all age groups, educational levels, and other major characteristics. Persons age 35 to 44 were the most likely to volunteer (34.5 percent), closely followed by 45 to 54 year olds (32.7 percent). Married persons volunteered at a higher rate (34.1 percent) than never married persons (23.0 percent).

Also See: Baby Boomers Wanted for National Service