National Volunteer Week, 2014

Proclamation 9100 of April 4, 2014

National Volunteer Week, 2014

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Through countless acts of kindness, generosity, and
service, Americans recognize that we are all bound
together--that we move this country forward by giving
of ourselves to others and caring for those around us.
Every day, Americans carry forward the tradition of
service embedded in our character as a people. And as
we celebrate National Volunteer Week, we embrace our
shared responsibility to one another and recommit to
the task of building a more perfect Union.

By performing acts of service, we can shape a Nation
big enough and bold enough to accommodate the hopes of
all our people. Across our country, volunteers open
doors of opportunity, pave avenues of success, fortify
their communities, and lay the foundation for
tomorrow's growth and prosperity. They are often
equipped with few resources and gain little
recognition, yet because of their service, our country
is a better and a stronger force for good.

My Administration is dedicated to engaging Americans
through service. Through the Corporation for National
and Community Service, we administer programs like
AmeriCorps and Senior Corps, and we have designed
innovative initiatives such as School Turnaround
AmeriCorps and VetSuccess AmeriCorps. In giving their
time and talent, our volunteers can learn new skills
and focus their vision, energy, and passion on projects
ranging from improving disaster relief, delivering
better education, and assisting returning veterans and
military families. And by establishing the Task Force
on Expanding National Service, we are creating new
opportunities to support our communities through
service.

The American experience stands apart because our
triumph is found in the example of our people. With
unity of purpose and unmatched resolve, we confront our
shared challenges as one people and emerge stronger
than before. We saw this spirit in action when, in the
wake of a devastating mudslide in Washington State,
Americans stepped in to provide food, shelter, and
support to survivors. We saw it last year when a
tornado struck Moore, Oklahoma, and volunteers came
together to rebuild homes, schools, and hospitals--
because we are a Nation that stands with our fellow
citizens as long as it takes. As we renew our
commitment to each other during National Volunteer
Week, I encourage you to visit www.Serve.gov to learn
more about service opportunities in your area.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the
United States, do hereby proclaim April 6 through April
12, 2014, as National Volunteer Week. I call upon all
Americans to observe this week by volunteering in
service projects across our country and pledging to
make service a part of their daily lives.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
fourth day of April, in the year of our Lord two
thousand fourteen, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
eighth.