Up and down the state, Delawareans are committed to serving their neighbors. From delivering meals to seniors to mentoring children and cleaning up public places, Delawareans annually perform more than 22 million hours of service, helping brighten the future for current and future generations. We’re inspired by people like Marilee Bradley, who has spent 45 years advocating for individuals with developmental disabilities, and who at 92 is still active in her community. And by students like Emalie Lawson from Dover High School, who started the “My Own Books” campaign to improve childhood literacy in Kent County. This week’s annual Week of Service is an opportunity to channel that inspiration – to remind each other and ourselves of the important services that volunteers provide to help those in need and to improve the quality of life for everyone in our communities. It’s a chance for each of us to recommit to doing what we can. And the options are limitless. My staff and members of the Cabinet have joined Carla and me in renovating a Boys and Girls club, participating in a Habitat for Humanity home building project, and this year, cleaning up Killen’s Pond State Park in Felton, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary. These are just a few of the many ways to give back. There are service opportunities that fit everyone’s interests and offer great personal fulfillment. To learn more, please visit https://volunteer.delaware.gov/. The Week of Service, isn’t just about the work we do one week out of the year. It’s about encouraging and inspiring Delawareans to continue to volunteer for the rest of the year. Working together, we will keep Delaware moving forward.

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