ServiceNation is the name of an organization campaign to increase support for expanding national service programs like the Peace Corps, Americorps, Senior Corps, and through service-learning experiences in schools and colleges. It is supported by many charitable organizations across the nation including the American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, and Boys and Girls Clubs.
The ServiceNation campaign is the product of Be the Change, Inc., a non-profit organization based in Cambridge, MA established to promote bringing national service programs. National service programs like Americorps pay a living stipend and reward volunteers who have completed service with a monetary education award.
According to their web site, "ServiceNation is a campaign for a new America. An America where citizens unite and take responsibility for the nation?s future. An America that restores the great tradition of citizen service, and honors the profound sacrifices made by so many Americans who have passed before, from the small band of Founders to the millions who have fought for equality and justice at home, and defended our freedom abroad. ServiceNation is about an America that is ruggedly idealistic, compassionate, and above all committed to the idea of shared sacrifice in pursuit of America?s boldest promise: liberty and justice for all." http://www.bethechangeinc.org/servicenation/about_us/vision
A major objective of ServiceNation is to encourage volunteers to commit to regular service by signing a 'Declaration of Service' http://www.bethechangeaction.org/pledge/sign. This represents a promise by the participant to spend at least 50 hours per year serving either with local non-profit organizations, nationwide service programs, or with the US military.
On Saturday, September 27, 2008, ServiceNation organized a National Day of Action featuring over 900 events nationwide, to showcase and celebrate the work that national service and other volunteer programs donate to the greater community at large.
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