Serve Illinois Commission Urges Residents to Participate in Local Volunteer Projects During National Volunteer Week

CHICAGO – The Serve Illinois Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service is calling on residents to participate in local projects during National Volunteer Week, which will be held April 21-27.  National Volunteer Week is a time to celebrate people doing extraordinary things through service.

Comcast Cares Day, the company’s signature day of service and the nation’s largest single-day corporate volunteer effort, will be held this year on Saturday, April 27.  On that day, local and national Comcast and NBCUniversal employees and their families and friends will “make change happen” via participation in nearly 70 simultaneous community volunteer projects concentrated in central and northern Illinois, including the Chicago area.    

“The people of Illinois possess an intrinsic ethic of service, and Comcast Cares Day is a perfect opportunity for everyone from the most frequent volunteers to the first-time volunteers to roll up their sleeves, give back, and make a difference in their communities,” said Brandon Bodor, Executive Director of Serve Illinois.

Illinois’ volunteer rate (the percentage of residents who volunteered during the past year) has continued to climb in the national ranking, rising from 31st in 2009 to 25th in 2011.

“Our goal is to reach the Top 10 by 2015.  We are especially reminded of the benefits of volunteerism for both individuals and communities as we recognize National Volunteer Week.  Comcast Cares Day is a prime example of what people can accomplish in just one day of service,” Bodor added.

Last year, more than 7,000 local Comcast and NBCUniversal employees and their friends and family members participated in more than 60 projects across the region.  This year, the company expects the number of volunteers to increase locally, as well as nationally.  To learn more or to register to participate in a local Comcast Cares Day volunteer project, visit www.comcastinthecommunity.com. 

About the Comcast Foundation
The Comcast Foundation was founded by Comcast Corporation in June 1999 to provide charitable support to qualified non-profit organizations. The Foundation primarily invests in programs intended to have a positive, sustainable impact on their communities. The Foundation has three community investment priorities—promoting service, expanding digital literacy, and building tomorrow’s leaders. Since its inception, the Comcast Foundation has donated more than $123 million to organizations in the communities nationwide that Comcast serves. More information about the Foundation and its programs is available at www.comcast.com/community.

About Serve Illinois
The Serve Illinois Commission is a 40 member, bi-partisan board appointed by the Governor. Its mission is to improve Illinois communities by enhancing volunteerism and instilling an ethic of service throughout the state. The Commission is accomplishing this mission through the support of local community-based efforts to enhance volunteer opportunities and the administration of Illinois' AmeriCorps program.  For more information on Serve Illinois, or to find one of over 100,000 volunteer opportunities in the state, please visit www.Serve.Illinois.gov.