Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of USA Freedom Corps Desiree T. Sayle welcomed today’s new study released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics showing that an increased number of Americans participated in volunteer service in the past year.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today that the number of volunteers rose from September 2003 to September 2004. About 64.5 million people participated in volunteer work at least once during the study period, up from 63.8 million for the similar period ended in September 2003, and up from 58.8 million for the period ended September 2002, the first year of the study. The percentage of the American population who volunteered during the past year remained the same level as in 2003 at 28.8 percent.

“Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, we’ve seen a tremendous increase in volunteer service among Americans,” Sayle said. “Today’s numbers show that our Nation’s commitment to volunteer service is sustained three years later. The important idea of actively engaging in volunteer service is taking root across the country.

“When President Bush created USA Freedom Corps, this was his goal - to encourage more Americans to volunteer and make a difference in the lives of others. When Americans volunteer, our Nation is strengthened one person, one neighborhood, one community at a time. As today’s BLS study reveals, a significant portion of the population is committed to service, but there is still more work to do and more needs that can be met through volunteer service,” Sayle said.

One fourth of men and about one third of women participated in volunteer work in the year ended September 2004, about the same proportions as in the previous year. Women volunteered at a higher rate than men. Persons age 35 to 44 were the most likely to volunteer, closely followed by 45 to 54 year olds and 55 to 64 year olds. The volunteer rates for these age groups were 34.2 percent, 32.8 percent, and 30.1 percent respectively. Parents with children under age 18 were more likely to volunteer than persons without children of that age, 36.9 percent compared with 25.4 percent. Married persons volunteered at a higher rate (33.9 percent) than never married persons (23.2 percent) and persons of other marital statuses (22.9 percent).

The data were collected as a part of the September 2004 Current Population Survey, a monthly survey of 60,000 households. For more information, visit: http://www.bls.gov/cps/.

The volunteer service indicator is an annual national measurement of volunteer behavior developed by the Census Bureau and Bureau of Labor Statistics with USA Freedom Corps and the Corporation for National and Community Service.

Through USA Freedom Corps, President Bush wants to help every American answer the Call to Service by strengthening and expanding service opportunities to protect our homeland, support our communities, and extend American compassion around the world. Interested volunteers can find information at www.usafreedomcorps.gov or by calling 1-877-USA-CORPS.

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