Washington D.C. — During Thanksgiving week (November 24-30), adults age 55 and over are being urged to sign up to make a difference in their communities through the Share Your Volunteer Spirit Pledge Drive, hosted by Senior Corps. Senior Corps is encouraging people to give thanks by finding local volunteer opportunities in their neighborhoods by calling 1-800-424-8867 or by logging on to www.volunteerfriends.org.

The Share Your Volunteer Spirit Pledge Drive is part of the Senior Corps Ask a Friend campaign to encourage older adults to help strengthen their communities. The goal is to get 100,000 new volunteers to pledge service. The Ask a Friend campaign was developed in response to a challenge to Senior Corps from President Bush in his Call to Service message to all Americans. Researchers agree that volunteering improves the overall quality of life for seniors, helping them stay healthier and more engaged in their communities.

"The holiday season is a time to reflect on the abundance in our lives," said Tess Scannell, director of Senior Corps. "We’re providing an easy way to say ‘thanks’ for that abundance by volunteering for a cause or organization that benefits your community."

Through the Share Your Volunteer Spirit Pledge Drive, volunteers can tap into a database of numerous volunteer opportunities that include mentoring children, building houses for low-income individuals, and helping police and fire departments, among others.

Volunteers can find local opportunities by calling 1-800-424-8867 or logging on to www.volunteerfriends.org. Opportunities can be matched to specific areas of interest and by zip code. The website also includes downloadable fliers, posters, and e-cards to help volunteers share information with their friends, as well as information in Spanish.

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