April marks National Volunteer Month. Jody Benz, program coordinator of the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Services, says First Lady Mari Culver will help raise awareness of the need for volunteers at domestic abuse and youth shelters on April 25th.
Benz says the "Shelter Awareness Day" will draw attention to the important services those shelters provide to at-risk youth and victims of domestic abuse. Many non-profit agencies in the state are in need of volunteers, but Benz says Iowa is fortunate to have so many citizens willing to work in their local communities.
"We’ve got lots of proof that millions of dollars worth of value come into the state (from volunteers)," Benz said. "If non-profit organizations had to pay the volunteers for the services that they provide, there just wouldn’t be enough money in the world to get everything done that needs to be done." Iowans can find volunteer opportunities online at Volunteer Iowa website .