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New Campaign Urges America’s 77 Million Baby Boomers
to Volunteer
"Get Involved" government campaign taps boomer’s
idealism and talents
 Dec.
27, 2005 - Public service announcements will begin running in January,
when the first wave of baby boomers start to turn 60. Recognizing the
extraordinary potential for social good among America’s 77 million baby
boomers, the Corporation for National and Community Service begins a
multi-year public service ad campaign that asks baby boomers to get
involved in their communities.
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The "Get Involved" campaign was introduced at the
White House Conference on Aging, the once-a-decade gathering that makes
policy recommendations to the President and Congress about aging issues.
The PSA campaign is part of a larger effort by volunteer and nonprofit
leaders at the conference to develop a national strategy to engage more
baby boomers in service.
Born between 1946 and 1964, baby boomers came of
age in a period of great social idealism. Many were inspired to service
by President Kennedy’s famous "Ask not…" speech.
Data released from the Bureau of
Labor Statistics last Friday shows that 33.2 percent of all
boomers – 25.8 million people – volunteered for formal organizations in
2005. This represents the highest rate of volunteering of any age
cohort. Campaign organizers want to increase that percent, especially as
boomers begin to retire and have more free time
"America’s baby boomers are an untapped resource of
extraordinary proportions. They are the largest, healthiest,
best-educated generation in history – and they can leave an incredible
legacy through service to others," said David Eisner, CEO of the
Corporation for National and Community Service, who
spoke to the 1,200 delegates
about the need for change in the business, nonprofit, and government
sectors to attract boomer volunteers. "This campaign is a first step in
larger strategy that has the potential to transform our society."
The campaign’s goal is to increase the number of
boomers engaged in community service. It drives viewers to a new
website,
www.getinvolved.gov and
toll-free hotline, 1-800-424-8867, where they can search by zip code and
interest area for local volunteer opportunities that best suit their
needs, experience and lifestyle.
The public service announcements will begin running
in January 2006, when the first wave of baby boomers start to turn 60.
The ads feature a series of English and Spanish language version
television, radio and print ads profiling baby boomers (ages 55-60) of
different backgrounds sharing how community service changed their lives
and inviting their peers to join them. The ads feature real volunteers
from the Corporation’s RSVP and AmeriCorps VISTA program.
The "Get Involved" campaign is being launched in
partnership with America’s nonprofit community. Thirty-four
organizations, including AARP, the American Red Cross, America’s
Promise, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Habitat for Humanity,
Catholic Charities, Communities in Schools, have signed on campaign
supporters. A full list is available at
www.getinvolved.gov. The
campaign also has support from private-sector organizations that share a
commitment to civic responsibility including IBM, CVS, America Online,
and Inova Health System.
The Corporation for National and Community Service
provides opportunities for Americans of all ages and backgrounds to
serve their communities and country through three programs: Senior
Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America. Together with USA
Freedom Corps, the Corporation is working to foster a culture of
citizenship, service, and responsibility in America. For more
information, visit
www.nationalservice.gov.
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