A program to encourage volunteerism in Iowa will grow this year. The Ten-Thousand-Hour Project began about three years ago in Iowa City, to add incentives for people to give their time helping others. Spokeswoman Shannon Thomas says the program’s in its second full year and organizers already have decided to take it statewide. They’re expanding into Story, Blackhawk and Polk County, working with Drake students and some at Kirkwood Community College in Linn County. Thomas says while you have to register the charity or organization you’re going to give your time, that’s easy to do. Thomas says the goal is to effect change, and by growing the group can see it happen in even more communities. Last some 870 volunteers worked for 60 organizations in Johnson County alone, and the group expects many more volunteers to complete their verified ten hours of volunteer service by the April concert to be staged at the University of Iowa Memorial Union. Just last night, the group announced the live entertainment will include an Iowa City band called Public Property and headliner Guster.
