There is a growing awareness that citizen

participation is a vital part of our national

character. In his acceptance speech President

Bush talked about "a thousand points of light"

referring to those Americans who strive to he~p

others, improve community life, and invigorate

critical causes across the land and world.

In Volunteers in Action, authors Brian and Ann

O Connell confirm the good news that "today, a

greater proportion of our population is involved

in volunteering and giving than was so at any

time in our history." Volunteers in Action captures

the spirit of a cross-section of the 80 million

volunteers in America today whose interests

and impact extend from neighborhoods to the

ozone layer and beyond -- covering almost

every area of human endeavor. Through

heart-rending stories, citations, and

testimonials, the authors illustrate the roles

and impact of ordinary citizens and how their

dedication to voluntary action enriches and

empowers themselves, their communities,

and the nation.

While providing insights into the true

dimension of the voluntary sector, Volunteers

in Action serves also as a call to arms, urging

citizens to get involved in this unique form of

participatory democracy. Toward this end, the

authors identify areas of service in such fields as

health, education, religion, recreation, and the

arts, outlining the kinds of jobs that volunteers

perform every day. And, to help encourage