Culture of Volunteerism

For the past two weekends, students at over 100 university campuses across the country have volunteered their time and raised money to fight hunger and homelessness on the local, national and international level.

The National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness, coordinated the event raising over $70,000 and bringing together 2000 volunteers.

Students at Fairfield, the University of Washington, Rutgers, and so many others but the largest was at Fairfield University which brought together 500 people and raised nearly $10,000.

At the same time 30 Students from Boston University will spend their summer bicycling from Rhode Island to Washington state as part of a promotional program called Bike and Build to help end poverty

"Each summer, 210 bikers embark on seven cross-country routes, giving presentations on the nation's affordable housing problem, granting money to small organizations and occasionally constructing homes.

"I'm excited because we don't bike the days we build houses. It's sort of our day off," Ashley Hoesing, a CAS sophomore, said. "I've never done anything like it before. Especially now with the economy the way it is, I'm pretty excited that I can help those less fortunate."

Since its 2002 inception, Bike and Build has raised more than $1 million for affordable housing organizations across the country, according to its website."

As CIRCLE (pdf) often reminds us volunteerism is native to young people. 60% of 15-25 year olds have volunteer or continue to volunteer on a regular basis. Opportunities like these help create a culture of volunteerism and community involvement.

I wonder the extent to which shows like Idol Gives Back, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, and Oprah's Big Give also help create that same volunteerism or "give back" attitude, particularly with older demographics. Just thought I'd throw that out there - see if anyone has any thoughts.