Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Sen. Lockman on behalf of all Senators & Rep. Longhurst on behalf of all Representatives

DELAWARE STATE SENATE

151st GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 26

DESIGNATING APRIL AS “VOLUNTEER MONTH” IN DELAWARE.

WHEREAS, volunteers are motivated by the simple satisfaction of helping their fellow citizens and making their community a better place to live; and

WHEREAS, every year, thousands of Delaware volunteers give their time and effort to help others through their churches, community organizations, service clubs, schools, hospitals, charitable organizations, and other worthy endeavors; and

WHEREAS, in 2021, the State Office of Volunteerism programs worked with 3,544 individual volunteers who provided 643,863 hours of service to the State of Delaware; and

WHEREAS, volunteers have played a critical and heroic role in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic; and

WHEREAS, since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, volunteers have provided 257,000 hours of service in support of battling food insecurity, supporting remote learning, assisting organizations with pandemic-related adjustments to their service delivery, and responding to emergencies; and

WHEREAS, according to Independent Sector, the value of volunteer time in the United States is currently $27.20 per hour, which at this rate, means volunteers in Delaware have delivered service valued at $29,000,000 in the past year; and

WHEREAS, the State Office of Volunteerism works in cooperation with the Governor’s Commission on Community and Volunteer Service to support service in Delaware through four key program initiatives: Volunteer Delaware, Volunteer Delaware 50+, AmeriCorps Delaware, and Foster Grandparents Program; and

WHEREAS, i n August 2020, the State Office of Volunteerism hosted the “Reimagining Volunteerism” conference which brought together more than 300 people from around the world to discuss ways to adapt volunteer programs, both in response to the global pandemic and for the future; and

WHEREAS, i n 2021, Volunteer Delaware is working to expand the diverse and inclusive service community in Delaware by promoting the idea that “Everyone has a Superpower” and helping individuals, families, and groups find their service superpower through volunteerism; and

WHEREAS, Delawareans are encouraged to devote their time and talents to the many worthwhile volunteer efforts underway statewide and should be recognized for their valuable contribution to the state.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the 151st General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the House of Representatives concurring therein, that April is designated as “Volunteer Month” in the State of Delaware.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Delaware should recognize the importance of volunteering and honor the significant contributions volunteers make by generously donating their time and talents to worthy causes.