A new report on volunteerism in America ranks Omaha 13th among mid-sized cities.
The Corporation for National and Community Service report says Nebraska ranks seventh in the nation when it comes to volunteering. According to the report, 35 percent of Omaha residents volunteered last year.
Wendy Spencer, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service, says she was surprised by the report’s finding that 35 to 44-year-olds do the most volunteering.
"As a volunteer manager for years, just from my experience, I’ve observed that this age group, especially parents of school-age children, are very connected to their community. They’re volunteering at the school where their children go to, they’re volunteering with the social activities that their kids are volunteering with, they’re volunteering and active in their church or faith organization, and with sports activities."
Spencer says cities with the most volunteers share characteristics such as low poverty rates, higher rates of home ownership, and lower commute times. The report also found that college students volunteer at twice the rate of their peers who aren’t in college.
The report is available at www.volunteeringinamerica.gov.