The 32nd annual National Volunteer Week will be celebrated April 17 through 23, 2005. Sponsored by the Points of light Foundation, National Volunteer Week is a time to honor volunteers at the local, state and national levels. We are proud to announce that the 2005 theme and logo will remain, "Inspire By Example" because it truly reflects the power volunteers have to inspire the people they help, as well as, to inspire others to serve!

A volunteer gives time and expertise without expecting monetary compensation. The half of the U.S. population who volunteers makes many educational, health, cultural, and human service programs work.

A recent survey conducted by the Gallup Organization for Independent Sector found 44% of Americans volunteering with a formal organization in 2000. Based on in-home interviews of a representative sample of adults over 21, an estimated 83.9 million people volunteered an equilivalent of 9 millon full-time employees at a value of $239 million.