Governor Branstad Issues Call for Volunteerism

Volunteer Jill Snodgrass (from left), Kitchen Manager Candie Edmonds, and Volunteer Shirley Hendrickson, all of Cedar Rapids, service lunch at the Salvation Army, 1000 C Ave NW, in Cedar Rapids on Friday, August 31, 2012. (Stephen Mally/Freelance)

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By Aaron Hepker

Story Created: Sep 10, 2012 at 2:20 PM CDT

Story Updated: Sep 10, 2012 at 3:04 PM CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds are calling on Iowans to work an average of 50 hours annually on volunteer projects.

Branstad on Monday announced a new "Call to Service" partnership that strives to increase volunteerism in parts of Iowa where it's most needed. Branstad says the public-private partnership seeks to make Iowa the national leader in service and volunteerism by 2015.

The Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service says the average Iowan volunteers 34.2 hours per year. The commission's chairwoman, Patti Fields, says Iowans would provide an additional $1 billion worth of services to the state each year if the average increased to 50 hours.

Fields says thousands of children need mentors, and many communities need volunteer firefighters. She says others can coach, tutor or pick up trash.

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