America's Volunteer Rate Highest in Six Years

Americans once again have disproved the common notion that when economic times are hard, charitable and civic participation become suppressed. According to a report from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), 63.4 million Americans over the age of 16 volunteered to help charitable causes in 2009. The number of volunteers increased 1.6 million from last year; that's the highest jump in six years. However, the amount of hours volunteered remained the same, averaging out to about 8.1 billion hours volunteered, the dollar amount for those volunteer hours is estimated at $169 billion.

The report shows the biggest increase in women volunteers. Married women were especially more apparent as well as employed women working full time and African American women. The largest amount of volunteers gave their time to religious organizations, educational organizations and less gave time to social service organizations. However, this year, more than years before, people gave of their time to help neighbors and friends solve personal problems in less formal avenues of volunteerism. However, the most common volunteer activity was fundraising, with 27 percent of Americans donating their time to raise money for good causes.

Patrick Covington, the chief executive of CNCS, estimates that many people that the report counted also engage in volunteerism outside of the formal charitable networks. Covington sites that President Obama's call to service has given many people a nudge to give back and the tough economic times have inspired sympathy toward the plights of others. Many unemployed individuals have also taken to volunteering to develop job skills and for networking opportunities.

Michael Brown, CEO and co founder of City Year, sums up the jump in volunteer numbers, "There is a new seriousness in American society. There is someone on every level saying 'How do we solve problems and be effective in meeting society's problems?' and volunteering is a large part of that. What excites this generation in part is that it's a compelling proposition if you can actually help solve a problem in society. It's a practical and idealistic generation."