Iowa Governor Terry Branstad and Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds are calling on Iowans to work an average of 50 hours annually on volunteer projects.
Branstad on Monday announced a new "Call to Service" partnership that strives to increase volunteerism in parts of Iowa where it's most needed. Branstad says the public-private partnership seeks to make Iowa the national leader in service and volunteerism by 2015.
The Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service says the average Iowan volunteers 34.2 hours per year. The commission's chairwoman, Patti Fields, says Iowans would provide an additional $1 billion worth of services to the state each year if the average increased to 50 hours.
Fields says thousands of children need mentors, and many communities need volunteer firefighters. She says others can coach, tutor or pick up trash.
