This resolution expresses support for designating 2026 as the "National Year of the Volunteer" to honor service and encourage nationwide community engagement.
Michael Lawler
Representative
NY-17
This resolution expresses support for designating 2026 as the "National Year of the Volunteer" to celebrate and recommit to community service. It recognizes the vital role volunteers play in strengthening communities despite recent declines in volunteer rates. The designation encourages nationwide efforts to highlight service opportunities in honor of the nation's 250th anniversary.
2026 Designated as National Year of the Volunteer: Major Service Push to Mark U.S. 250th Anniversary
This resolution officially designates 2026 as the "National Year of the Volunteer," a move designed to spark a nationwide surge in community service. Timing is everything here: 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the United States, and the government wants to use that milestone to reverse a decade-long slide in volunteer rates. The bill specifically calls on federal, state, and local agencies to partner with the private sector and nonprofits to raise awareness and create new opportunities for Americans to give back to their communities.
Boosting the Neighborhood Backbone
Volunteers are the quiet engine behind things we often take for granted, like local food banks, youth sports leagues, and volunteer fire departments. This bill acknowledges a harsh reality: these organizations are currently struggling to find and keep the people they need to function. For an office worker who wants to mentor a student or a trade worker who might lend their skills to a local repair project, this designation means you can expect to see a lot more "help wanted" signs and organized service events in your local area. The goal is to make finding a way to help as easy as scrolling through an app, connecting busy people with causes that actually fit their schedules.
The 'America Gives' Initiative
The resolution leans heavily on the United States Semiquincentennial Commission’s "America Gives" initiative. It’s not just a feel-good pat on the back; it’s a strategic push to get schools, veterans groups, and even major corporations to bake service into their 2026 calendars. If you work for a company that offers "VTO" (Volunteer Time Off), you might see your employer ramping up those programs or partnering with local civic associations for large-scale projects. By linking service to the nation's 250th birthday, the bill tries to turn individual acts of kindness into a massive, coordinated effort to strengthen public safety, health, and education across the board.