Friday, April 16, 2004

Young people get involved in service day Young people from Atlanta and others all across America are mobilizing for action on April 16-18th in celebration of National Youth Service Day, a program of Youth Service America. Through Hands On Atlanta, one of fifty Lead Agencies, 3,000 young people will join millions of youth in conducting service-learning projects addressing issues such as literacy, hunger, public safety, and the environment. As the Presenting Sponsor of National Youth Service Day 2004, the State Farm Companies Foundation is making a substantial commitment to the Lead Agency program. National Youth Service Day is a public awareness and education campaign that highlights the amazing contributions that young people make to their communities 365 days a year. As the largest service event in the world, engaging millions of young people, National Youth Service Day draws together a remarkable consortium of local, regional and national partners, while recruiting the next generation of young volunteers. Youth in more than 120 countries join their U.S. peers as part of the Fifth Annual Global Youth Service Day, which takes place concurrently with support from the GM Foundation. On Saturday, youth participants will gather at 9 a.m. for service projects taking place around the city. Youth volunteers will landscape parks, visit with seniors, beautify school campuses, feed the hungry and more. After completing their service projects, National Youth Service Day volunteers will convene on the Georgia Tech campus for a Celebration of Service including food, live musical performances, games, and more. The lead media sponsor for this year's event will be WTBS Atlanta. "It is a distinct honor to work with such amazing Lead Agencies. Their leadership increases the scale and visibility of youth service year-round, and helps youth in America play a lead role in learning about community needs, while giving their time, energy, commitment, and idealism," said Steve Culbertson, president and CEO of Youth Service America. "Millions of young people serving together on National Youth Service Day creates a tidal wave of good and sends a powerful message of hope and healing around the globe," Culbertson added. "National Youth Service Day is a great opportunity for young people to work with other youth and perhaps gain their first exposure to community service, remarked Jennie Kim, 11th grade Youth Advisory Board member with Hands On Atlanta. This event helped me learn about the value of service and opened the floodgates to an entire world of volunteering." Individuals interested in volunteering for National Youth Service with Hands On Atlanta should call 404-979-2808 or e-mail NYSD@HandsOnAtlanta.org.