Message on the
Observance of National Volunteer Week,
I
am pleased and proud to greet and congratulate everyone celebrating this week
in tribute to
Voluntarism
is rooted in the world's religions and cultures, and just as those religions
and cultures have found haven in America so has the spirit of neighborly
compassion that Emerson envisioned when he wrote, ``The only gift is a portion
of thyself.'' Throughout our history Americans have reached out in service to
others, near and far, and thereby strengthened their
communities, our country, and the entire world. From the smallest act of
kindness to the dedication of a lifetime, volunteers respond in times of joy
and tragedy alike. From the smallest child to the most venerable senior
citizen, more than half of all Americans give of their time and energy in
private sector initiatives -- for each other.
Voluntarism's
essence is the willingness to share blessings and the courage to pursue an
ideal. Voluntarism's currency is love, and volunteers measure their riches in
terms of what they freely give their countrymen and the people of the world.
National Volunteer Week is a time to recognize
My heartfelt thanks, and
Ronald
Reagan