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By
Senator Ben Nelson
Nebraskans have always been more than willing to do their part. It’s one of the things I like best about living here. Nebraskans are very caring and generous, and always ready to volunteer to help others. It’s a spirit that is needed more in Washington.
Nebraska Ranks Number Four
A recent report ranks Nebraska 4th among the 50 states for volunteering, saying we have more than a half million people who volunteer in one way or another in our state.
The report, sponsored by the Corporation for National and Community Service using information from the Census Bureau, estimated that 37.4 percent of Nebraskans volunteered between 2008 and 2010. Their volunteer efforts amounted to almost 64 million hours, time valued at almost $1.4 billion.
The report lists several reasons why Nebraskans are so generous with their time. Greater attachment to their communities ranks at the top.
Homeownership
The report says that in Nebraska, more than 67 percent of the people own their home, which indicates a long-term commitment and attachment to their communities, meaning people are more apt to volunteer to help their community. Nationally, an average of 65 percent of the people own their own home.
Living Closer to Home
The report found that long commutes can curtail opportunities to volunteer because time spent traveling to and from work reduces the time and opportunity individuals have to connect to organizations in their communities. Nationally, commuters travel on average of about 25 minutes to work. In Nebraska, commuters travel on average 18 minutes to work.
Volunteering Rises with Education
The report found that the higher the education level, the more people are inclined to volunteer and in Nebraska the numbers are impressive with 90 percent having a high school diploma or GED. 27 percent have a college degree.
Volunteering Rises When Unemployment is Low
The report found that states with high unemployment have low amounts of volunteering. With Nebraska’s unemployment less than half the national average, we’re showing that even though we’re busy with jobs, we find time to volunteer to help others.
Volunteering is Less Common in High Poverty Areas
Poverty is another factor that discourages volunteering. Nationally, the poverty rate is 14.3 percent. Nebraska’s is 12.3%, and, of course, Nebraska is well known for consistently having one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country and few foreclosures.
You can read more about this at http://www.volunteeringinamerica.gov/NE.
This spirit of giving for the good of others would be helpful in Washington. Budget cutting would be a lot easier if Washington practiced more volunteerism and worked together on spending reductions. That’s what Senator John Hoeven (R-ND) and I are doing to cut 5.2 percent from legislative branch appropriations, which includes our own offices.
My colleague may not be from Nebraska but he certainly understands the Nebraska spirit of volunteerism and it’s a pleasure working with him to help reduce the budget by several hundred million dollars. It’s helping get Washington’s fiscal house in order.
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