Sonoma County was recently ranked the number one community in California based on the percentage of Citizens who volunteer. A whopping 39% of Sonoma County residents (almost 2 out of every 5) have averaged more than 53 hours of volunteer time each year.
With Sonoma County's current population estimated at 475,000 that means that 185,250 citizens responded to a call to action to better our community. For three years in a row, more than 19 Million hours, worth an estimated $415 million dollars, have been logged ... EACH YEAR.
Every Sunday in our local paper, a full page is dedicated to volunteerism. The page title is COMMUNITY, A Weekly Call To Action For Volunteers. This week, a senior center called out for a new choir leader. The Committee on the Shelterless (COTS) asked for child care volunteers. English tutors are in need. A local hospice organization asked for friendly visitors for those who are in the final stages in their lives.
I believe this call to action is just what a community needs. There are many who would volunteer if they just knew where help is needed. I am very proud of Sonoma County, it is clearly a community that cares. And that is just one of the reasons I love living here.
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