Gov. Gregoire kicks off week of volunteer events

For Immediate Release: September 8, 2009

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire today spoke at the joint Issaquah Rotary and Kiwanis Club meeting, where she encouraged more volunteerism and kicked off a week of volunteer-related events.

�We must make volunteer projects part of the fundamental plan to meet community needs,� Gregoire said. �Working together, we can push aside the challenges of today and clear the way for a brighter future.�

Gregoire applauded Kiwanis and Rotary members for their commitment to the community and thanked them for raising money to purchase scientific calculators for local students. Gregoire also acknowledged members for their work with Rotary First Harvest, Key Club and Circle K International.

�You have my heartfelt thanks, because projects like these illustrate principles that make Washington great and will see us through these tough times,� Gregoire said. �Your efforts show that the best answers to the challenges of the day come from families, friends, faith-based organizations, and service groups like Kiwanis and Rotary. Volunteerism is vital to strong communities.�

Later this week, Gregoire will give opening remarks at the Washington State Service Summit at the University of Washington, where she will stress the importance of volunteering to help communities emerge stronger from the national recession. The summit will be the first of its kind in the nation since the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act was signed into law, and will bring together more than 500 leaders from all sectors of society to develop strategies to best address community needs across the state.

Gregoire will also announce later this week a new Volunteer Washington website, which will make it easier for the public to have access to volunteer opportunities, and for state agencies to publicize opportunities for volunteer support.

And Friday, Sept. 11th, Gregoire will participate in the United Way�s Day of Caring at Qwest Field in Seattle. The event is in conjunction with the National Day of Service.