Rockland Roundtable Joins Obama’s United We Serve Effort

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The Rockland Roundtable Initiative is taking part in United We Serve, a national effort launched by President Obama to engage more Americans in serving their communities this summer.

The Rockland Roundtable Initiative will be hosting a variety of volunteer opportunities as part of the summer service initiative.

“In these tough economic times, communities need volunteers more than ever,” said Orangeburg native and Rockland Roundtable co-founder Mark Svensson. “Volunteers deliver critical services—from tutoring, mentoring, coaching, and supporting young people, to delivering meals to homebound seniors, to keeping our neighborhoods safe and much more. We are pleased to join this national effort and thank the President for making this call to service.” 

United We Serve kicked off on June 22 and runs through September 11.  The initiative focuses on four key areas: education, health, energy and the environment; and community renewal.  It is being led by the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency that improves lives and strengthens communities though volunteering and service.

Svensson says the Rockland Roundtable Initiative plans to encourage more young people to become involved through volunteer opportunities. “I know many young people are busy with summer jobs, internships and other engagements, but we all need to go the extra mile this summer to reach out to others with a helping hand.  So many across our state are in dire economic conditions right now and everyone has the potential to make a difference by volunteering,” said Svensson.

The Obama administration created www.serve.gov, a Web site that allows visitors to type in their zip code to find local volunteer opportunities, recruit volunteers, or get ideas for creating their own projects. Rockland Roundtable volunteer opportunities will be listed later this month on Serve.gov.

“Everyone has something to give, and summer is a great time to get involved,” said Svensson. “By serving this summer, we hope more Rockland residents will make an ongoing commitment to volunteering throughout the year.”