SECOND ANNUAL DELAWARE WEEK OF SERVICE, APRILl 10-16

The second annual Delaware Week of Service, which will take place next week, April 10-16th, 2011- coincides with National Volunteerism Week. The second annual Week of Service expands on a weekend of service the Markell's hosted in January 2009 in lieu of the traditional Inaugural Ball and the first annual Week of Service in 2010. The First Lady is encouraging Delawareans to seek a special project of volunteer service.

"Volunteerism is important to the Markell family. We see so many needs and so many giving people who make a difference," said Governor Jack Markell. "This is a good time to look at what we can do to make our community a little better."

Organizations can register their needs and volunteer opportunities. Individuals and groups can log on and choose a project. Mrs. Markell urges those interested in being involved with the Week of Service to visit the Volunteer Delaware website, www.volunteerdelaware.org/ and use the keyword 'Week of Service.' Both one-time and ongoing volunteer opportunities are posted.

This user-friendly portal for volunteerism in Delaware gained initial exposure during the first Weekend of Service. Since then, 70 new organizations have registered; web traffic to the site has increased almost 500% and over a quarter of a million volunteer hours have been logged by volunteers and volunteer organizations.

"The website is a great way to track the progress we're making as a state of dedicated volunteers," Mrs. Markell says. "We're so pleased that several Delaware organizations are joining the effort to engage our citizens in volunteer service during the Week of Service, including the State Office of Volunteerism, the Governor's Commission for Community and Volunteer Service, the United Way of Delaware, The News Journal, Delaware Association of Nonprofit Agencies, Delaware Association of Volunteer Administrators, the Jefferson Awards, and others. All of these efforts contribute to the powerful momentum we are building in Delaware."

The second annual Delaware Week of Service will conclude on Saturday, April 16 with Volunteer Fairs in each county. The Week's successes will be celebrated and information about ongoing volunteer opportunities will be available. "Over and over again, I'm told by volunteers how much they get out of the experience of helping others, "said Mrs. Markell. "I look forward to working with the fantastic Delawareans who volunteer during our Week of Service and beyond."

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.