From Deseret News archives:
Utah ranks No. 1 in U.S. in voluntarism
The Beehive State topped nearly every list in the study from the Corporation for National and Community Service. Using data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the U.S. Census Bureau, the federal agency analyzed volunteering across the country between 2002 and 2005.
During that time period, 48 percent of Utah residents gave their time to volunteer efforts, compared to a national rate of 28.8 percent. Utah was trailed by Nebraska at 42.8 percent, Minnesota at 40.7 percent, Iowa at 39.2 percent and Alaska at 38.9 percent.
At the bottom of the list was Nevada, with a volunteer rate of 18.8 percent.
"I'm just really both shaking my head with both awe and pleasure," said Rick Crawford, director of the Utah office of the Corporation for National and Community Service.
Volunteering across the country has grown since President Bush issued a call to service following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, according to the report. In 2002, 59.5 million Americans participated in volunteer efforts. That number grew to 65.4 million in 2005.
"As things become more challenging in the world, be it 9/11 or (Hurricane) Katrina or earthquakes or tsunamis in the Indonesian area, it seems that Americans dig in a little bit deeper and become a little bit more serving of others," Crawford said. "Under challenges, we have solid fiber and good backbones."
Nationwide in 2005, more women than men volunteered, and married people have a higher rate of service than non-married people, the study said. People between the ages of 35 and 44 were also more likely to volunteer.
Utah residents gave more hours than their national counterparts, with each volunteer working 96 hours, nearly double the national average of 51. Also, 63 percent of Utah volunteers said their work was done through religious organizations, compared to nearly 35 percent nationally.
More than one-third of national volunteers said they spent their time coaching, refereeing, tutoring or mentoring others. Nearly 30 percent said they participated in fund-raisers or sold items to raise money and 26 percent collected, prepared, distributed or sold food.
College students in Utah also fared well in the study. With a volunteering rate of 62.9 percent, Utah students far surpassed the next closest state, Idaho at 44.4 percent, and eclipsed the lowest-ranking state, Georgia at 21.4 percent.
E-mail: awelling@desnews.com
