“Where do you find the time?” is a question that could be posed to many parents, but the 2012 Volunteering and Civic Life in America (VCLA) report shows that many in this group are carving space in their busy schedules to help others in their communities. Allison Moore, a military spouse and mother of three young children in Missouri, is a prime example.

The demands of modern parenting don't leave a lot of spare time for volunteering, and raising kids ages 5, 7, and 8 adds another layer of busyness to Allison's day. Military moms like her also face special challenges above and beyond typical parental duties with solo parenting stints, short-notice deployments, and frequent moves becoming part of the routine.

Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) researchers behind the VCLA report found that parents volunteer at a rate seven points higher than the general population and service peaks with parents in their late 40s. Public schools are often hubs for community activity, and parents often step up to help with any number of activities from candy sales to chaperoning events or trips.

Allison began helping out at Thayer Elementary School inside the military base when her kids reached school age, and just found herself becoming more and more involved. Now she spends about 40 hours a week at Thayer, including serving as an after-school tutor with the Waynesville AmeriCorps program that helps military children who often need academic help due to the frequent changes that come with military life.

The stay-at-home mom never saw herself working at a school, but once she started volunteering, she fell in love with the work. Allison says she does it for herself and her children, but everyone in the community benefits from parents like her that make time to help.

To discover other interesting findings from the Volunteering and Civic Life in America report, click the graphic above.

The Waynesville AmeriCorps program received a 2012 National Service Impact Award for its outstanding work in its community with military families. You can learn more about its work at the CNCS Service Impact Awards page.

The transient nature of military life can make life difficult for students in military families, and many are stationed at Fort Leonard Wood for less than two years or experience parental deployment. They often have challenges with making new friends, fitting into social groups, and connecting with the community.
 

Earlier this week I traveled to Joplin, Missouri, for a trip I will never forget. The Joplin story is one of a community that that never gave up, that demonstrated steely resolve in the face of tragedy, and that is coming back stronger and better than before. It is also the story of volunteers – 130,000 strong and counting – whose selfless service has lifted up an entire community when it needed it most.
 

Earlier this week, Chief of Program Operations, Idara Nickelson, accompanied Kelly DeGraff, Senior Advisor for Disaster Services on a tour of disaster areas throughout Missouri -- Joplin, Branson, and Kimberling City. Her first time at a disaster site, she snapped the above photo and had this to say:
 

It's been seven weeks since we arrived in Joplin to set up disaster relief efforts, and yet we still see new faces and register new volunteers. Last week, we were introduced to a few of the volunteers from across the country, and asked them what inspires them to join us.
 

Volunteers motivate and inspire us. In the weeks following the tornado that destroyed much of Joplin, MO, we've received an outpouring of volunteers from various states and countries.
 

No matter where disaster strikes, National Service is there. Our AmeriCorps members have been on the ground in Joplin since the F5 tornado touched down on May 22nd. More than 200 national service members have been engaged in the response and recovery activities including setting up and managing a Volunteer Reception Center, receiving and distributing donations, directing volunteers, and coordinating with FEMA and state agencies.
 

AmeriCorps members come from all walks of life. They could be fresh out of high school or college or perhaps they are returning veterans, stay-at-home moms, or retired individuals. The members of AmeriCorps Hoopa Tribal Civilian Community Corps (Hoopa TCCC) have their own unique perspective – they are all from Native American communities.
 

At 2:00 AM, on May 23rd, just eight hours after a deadly EF-5 tornado tore through Joplin, MO, the AmeriCorps St. Louis Emergency Response Team arrived in a community devastated by the latest in a string of natural disasters.
 

In the wake of the nation’s deadliest tornado in six decades, more than 80 AmeriCorps members are working night and day to assist first responders and victims in the recovery efforts in Joplin, MO.