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Volunteerism – Service
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55032941
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Volunteerism – Service
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Records of the First Lady's Office (Clinton Administration)
Melanne Verveer's Subject Files
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PHOTOCOPY
PRESERVATION
Volunteerism
Service
PHOTOCOPY
PRESERVATION
Talking It Over
By Hillary Rodham Clinton
1,010 volunteers keep
White House in top form
That do a retired anthro-
tions, going back to Richard
W
pology professor, a cos-
Nixon. The numbers do not ade-
tume designer and a
quately tell the story of how im-
children's author have
portant these men and women
in common? And what about a
are to my husband and me. Not
volunteer archaeologist, a retired
only do they help the White
Navy officer and a magazine pub-
House function, they also embody
lisher?
the ethic of service that is one of
Answer: Each of them is a vol-
the themes of this presidency.
unteer in my office.
Many of them give generously of
Last week, we celebrated Na-
their time and talents to other
tional Volunteer Week, and at a
nonprofit organizations and agen-
reception in the Rose Garden, the
cies as well, from the Holocaust
president and I had the opportu-
Museum and the National Gallery
nity to thank all the wonderful
of Art to the Audubon Society, the
men and women who volunteer in
Salvation Army, Common Cause
the White House. Among others,
and the American Association of
we recognized a husband-and-
Retired Persons.
wife team and a college student
Anyone who peeks in the door
who comes in every morning at
of my office will find almost 100
4:30 to work in the press area be-
volunteers. At the receptionist's
fore going off to a full day of
desk, the first person a visitor to
classes.
my office meets is a volunteer. On
It is no exaggeration to say
the sofa next to my favorite read-
that the White House - and cer-
ing chair is a needlepoint pillow
tainly my office could not func-
stitched by our Monday recep-
tion the way it'does without the
tionist, Phyllis. It's a beautiful re-
hours put in by volunteers. Let
creation of the cover of my book,
me share some pretty amazing
"It Takes a Village." I hear Phyllis
statistics:
is working on a pillow for my hus-
There are 1,010 active White
band depicting the bridge to the
House volunteers. (Thanks to the
21st century. We have a special
overwhelming number of willing
spot in mind for it and can't wait
andable-applicants,there is al-
to see it.
ways a long waiting list for these
Over the years, our volunteers
positions.) Each is committed to
and staff have come to feel like
work at least 16 hours each
one big family. We' celebrated
month, but most work more.
births and weddings together,
Since the beginning of 1998 alone,
we've grieved over the loss of col-
they have logged more than
leagues and friends, spouses and
60,000 hours. We expect them to
children, and we've encouraged
top 225,000 by the end of the
and supported each other through
year. This commitment of time
both good times and bad. I take
and energy saves the federal gov-
strength from the examples set
ernment over $1.2 million in
by each of these men and women.
wages each year!
Not only do they help my office
More than 30 White House of-
function smoothly, but they reg-
fices benefit from the services of
ularly go above and beyond the
these capable, experienced and
call of duty to help others.
well-trained citizens. The vast
Shortly before Christmas last
majority about 80 percent -
year, volunteers in my correspon-
work in the Department of Corre-
dence office were moved by a let-
spondence. They do the painstak-
ter from a young couple trying to
ing work of opening and sorting
adopt a baby from another state.
the mountain of mail we receive
Faced at the last minute with a
each day.
seemingly impenetrable tangle of
If you've ever called the White
red tape, they turned to the White
House Comment Line, you've
House for help. We were able to
spoken with a volunteer. They
refer them to the appropriate of-
field thousands of calls each day!
ficials, who worked together to
And, if you've ever received a
untangle the issues and unite a
card from the White House, it
very happy couple with their new
was probably addressed by a vol-
daughter by Christmas.
unteer.
I want to take this opportunity
Right now, our team ranges in
to thank all the volunteers who've
age from 19 to 92 and hails from
done so much for my husband
46 states, the District of Colum-
and me and for the people of this
bia, Puerto Rico and 29 foreign
country since we moved to the
countries. Most live in the Wash-
White House. At the same time, I
ington area, but several commute,
want to thank all the rest of you
some from as far away as Dela-
who take time out of your busy
ware, Pennsylvania and even Chi-
lives to serve your community
cago. In addition, "Arkansas Trav-
and your country. We couldn't do
elers" come to Washington for
it without you.
one-week stints.
To find out more about Hillary
Although each of our volun-
Rodham Clinton and read her
teers is committed to serving this
past columns, visit the Creators
president, several have worked
Syndicate Web page
under as many as six administra-
(www.creators.com).