National adult volunteer rates have been consistently high since Sept. 11, 2001, but those numbers decreased by about 4 million people from 2005 to 2006, according to a recent study by the Corporation for National and Community Service.
More than 61 million Americans, or 26.7 percent of the population, volunteered in 2006, which is down from the 65 million volunteers, or 28.8 percent of the 2006 population, in 2005, according to the report.
An increase in community service among college students has contributed greatly to the rising rate in volunteerism since Sept. 11, 2001. The growth rate of volunteerism among college students G
David Eisner, chief executive officer of the organization, said in a news release.
Ohio University students are not an exception to the volunteerism trend, though specific numbers are hard to come by because group memberships fluctuate.
There are 35 student service organizations listed on OU's Web site. The organizations vary from service fraternities, such as Alpha Phi Omega, to local nonprofit affiliates, like the OU Red Cross Association.
Megan Quinn, a sophomore and president of the OU Chapter of Habitat for Humanity, has been a volunteer since high school and decided to continue volunteering in her new town when she first came to OU.
I enjoy being involved on campus because of the different experiences I've had said Quinn. It's allowed me to come in contact with different people in Athens and interact with people outside of the OU community.
The OU chapter of Habitat for Humanity, an affiliate of Athens County Habitat for Humanity, builds a house in Athens County once a year, hosts benefit concerts, sponsors a 5K run and holds various fundraisers throughout the school year.
Community service is not limited to service organizations. Several social fraternities and sororities also require members to volunteer their time.
Freshman Sarah Mcilvaine, a member of the Alpha Xi Delta social sorority, was an active volunteer in high school and now serves at least three to five hours a quarter, she said. Some of those hours are spent serving food to elementary students in Amesville.
Mcilvaine said volunteering has enhanced her college experience.
But volunteering isn't for everyone.
I'm busy with classes and work so I really don't have time to get involved
said sophomore Joe Fisher.
I think that I eventually want to get involved
but right now I'm focusing on my education
he said.
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