First lady: Regular people can rebuild
First lady: Regular people can rebuild Posted: Wednesday, June 17, 2009 8:01 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) — First lady Michelle Obama said Tuesday that struggling communities shouldn’t look to government alone for help. Obama told a luncheon of Washington-area service and philanthropy groups that member work is key to making a difference in their neighborhoods and schools. She said leaders should take advantage of a recently signed public service law to engage new volunteers and put them to work. “Washington can only do so much,” she said. “Communities are built and rebuilt by regular people.” She said the national service law would funnel thousands of volunteers to such nonprofit groups. She warned groups to be ready for new volunteers and then use them help others in real ways. “People really want to get involved. They really want do,” Obama said. But she also said the key to keeping them interested is for them to see results. Obama also called on philanthropic groups to offer support, especially in multiyear commitments. She says that when she ran community service plans in Chicago, the multiyear grants helped her write more realistic budgets and invest in technology and fundraising. Published in The Messenger 6.17.09
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