Volunteer numbers tell a good story
Our opinionApril 10, 2012
Last week, we wrote about the Be More Awards, which honors the community’s volunteers. It’s fitting this week to note national figures that show Bloomington far ahead of the norm when it comes to volunteering.
As reported in a story Monday, one survey found that the average volunteer rate in Bloomington is 34 percent, compared with 28 percent for Indiana and 26 percent for the country. Other data found Bloomington residents volunteered 50 hours per resident in 2010, while the per-person average was 37 hours in Indiana and 34 hours in the U.S.
The massive volunteer pools of students at Indiana University and Ivy Tech Community College help, as does the large number of retirees who want to contribute their time and energy.
Whatever the reasons, the figures tell a compelling story of selfless people who reach out to help when others are in need.
Copyright: HeraldTimesOnline.com 2012
About Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana's largest public postsecondary institution and the nation's largest singly accredited statewide community college system, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana and also serves thousands of students annually online. It serves as the state's engine of workforce development, offering associate degrees, long- and short-term certificate programs, industry certifications, and training that aligns with the needs of the community. The College provides a seamless transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana, as well as out of state, for a more affordable route to a bachelor's degree.
