More people volunteering, report finds

WASHINGTON — More people in the United States volunteered their time to organizations in the past year, according to an annual government report released Wednesday.

About 63.8 million people, or 28.8 percent of the civilian population age 16 and older, performed volunteer work at some time between September 2002 and September 2003, the Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics said.

That’s up from 59.8 million, or 27.4 percent, from the previous year. The volunteers tutor, mentor, build affordable housing, teach computer skills, feed the needy and help communities respond to disasters.

Religious, educational and youth-related groups had the greatest number of volunteers, the report said.

Other findings include:

  • The volunteer rate was higher for women than men.

  • 35- to 44-year-olds volunteered most, at 34.7 percent.

  • Parents with children under age 18 volunteered more than people without children.

  • Married people volunteered more than non- married.

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