“Volunteers and why we need them”  by Karen VanHouten Minogue, Executive Director, Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan.  River Reporter, January 31, 2013  www.rivereporter.com

Volunteers are the cornerstone of a vibrant, healthy community and a strong nation.  People working together and talking to each other help solve social problems and enhance the quality of life in our communities, making them better places to live, work and raise a family.  Last year, the number of volunteers reached its highest level in five years.  According to the National Conference on Citizenship and the Corporation for National and Community Service, 64 million Americans volunteered approximately eight billion hours, valued at $171 billion.  It is nearly impossible to quantify the value these volunteer hours add to not-for-profits delivering needed services and programs in our communities…..

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