The president elect has called for a National Day of Service on January the 19th.  On that day he will be making a call to all Americans to seek out longer term projects in their communities.

GiveJust1 (http://www.givejust1.org), a nonprofit, non-partisan organization, calls upon all Americans to give one day of service to their community during the first 100 days of the Obama Administration (January 20 – April 30, 2009). GiveJust1 seeks to facilitate the connection between volunteers and service opportunities across the nation, and make a significant impact over a three month period in every community, great and small. The organization’s website is rapidly gaining in popularity as the grass roots program reaches Americans nationwide.

Richard Parsons, an entrepreneur based out of Los Angeles, was inspired to start the philanthropic organization after watching round the clock news coverage leading up to the Presidential Election. “I was fascinated with the campaign and messaging from both parties considering the challenges we are facing currently at a global level.  It occurred to me that whomever was to win the election would be measured, as all U.S. Presidents are, by the accomplishments of the first 100 days.  Considering the state of the world, it seems to me that one person or even one parties’ administration shouldering the responsibility for improving things doesn’t seem fair.  So before I walked into my local polling station I committed to making some kind of positive contribution regardless of the election outcome.”

If every one of the 126,686,145 people who voted in the presidential election, regardless of party affiliation, devoted just one day of service to their community, it would equal over a billion man hours in a highly concentrated timeframe.  The scope of this kind of participation is unprecedented and could bring solutions to thousands of communities in need.

The website provides a search tool to help match participants with local access to volunteer opportunities, as well as providing ideas on how to serve.  In lieu of contributions, Givejust1 asks visitors to help their community by giving just one day of their time.

Richard is a long-time friend of mine. I’m thrilled to be able to promote his organization.

Visit www.givejust1.org.  Midlothian, Texas

Tags: Nonprofit, organization, volunteers