http://ozarkspub.vo.llnwd.net/o37/KSMU/audio/mp3/missourira_1955.mp3
A new report is out by the Corporation for National and Community Service on the rate of volunteerism in the U.S. Michele Skalicky reports.
Missouri is ranked 20th in the nation when it comes to volunteerism—31.8% of the state's residents volunteered last year. A new report by the Corporation for National and Community Service shows that people in the U.S. volunteered at record levels in the years following 9/11, but volunteerism dropped slightly in 2006.
More than a quarter of Americans—26.7%--did volunteer work last year compared to 28.8% in 2005.
Missouri State University places a large emphasis on public service. Its president Dr. Michael Nietzel says the state has done well for several years in the number of its residents who volunteer.
He says universities like Missouri State can foster the spirit of volunteerism in students
Nietzel say the university places a big emphasis on volunteerism because of its service role as a public institution for the city, region and state. He says volunteerism also helps in the educational process
The top five states for volunteerism in the report by the Corporation for National and Community Service are Utah, Nebraska, Minnesota, Alaska and Kansas.
The bottom five states are Mississippi, Florida, Louisiana, New York and Nevada.