December 24, 2003 (The Editor’s Desk is updated each business day.)

Older volunteers put in most hours

Volunteers spent a median of 52 hours on volunteer activities during the period from September 2002 to September 2003.

[Chart data—TXT]

Among the age groups, volunteers age 65 and over devoted the most time—a median of 88 hours—to volunteer activities. Those age 25 to 34 years spent the least time, volunteering a median of 36 hours during the year.

Older volunteers were more likely to work mainly for religious organizations than were their younger counterparts. For example, 46.5 percent of volunteers age 65 and over performed volunteer activities mainly for a religious organization, compared with 29.1 percent of volunteers age 16 to 24 years.

Data on volunteering were collected through a supplement to the September 2003 Current Population Survey. For more information, see news release USDL 03-888, "Volunteering in the United States, 2003" (PDF) (TXT).

 

Related TED articles: 

• Increase in volunteering