Givejust1
GiveJust1 is an international, non-partisan, non-governmental, non-profit organization devoted to promoting volunteerism and community service across the United States and around the world. Givejust1 is a grassroots movement primarily utilizing social networking tools and services with participants in all 50 US States and 27 different countries providing volunteer service in their own communities.
History
GiveJust1 (http://groups.to/givejust1/), a nonprofit, non-partisan organization, calls upon all individuals to give one day of service to their community. GiveJust1 seeks to facilitate the connection between volunteers and service opportunities across the nation, and make a significant impact in every community, great and small. The organization's cause is rapidly gaining in popularity as the grass roots program reaches Americans nationwide. The idea to provide one day of community service is growing internationally as participants from countries around the world are connecting to the GiveJust1 group.
Richard L. Parsons, an entrepreneur based out of Midlothian, Texas was inspired to start the philanthropic organization after watching round the clock news coverage leading up to the Presidential Election. "I was fascinated with the campaign and messaging from both parties considering the challenges we are facing currently at a global level. It occurred to me that whomever was to win the election would be measured, as all U.S. Presidents are, by the accomplishments of the first 100 days. Considering the state of the world, it seems to me that one person or even one parties' administration shouldering the responsibility for improving things doesn't seem fair. So before I walked into my local polling station I committed to making some kind of positive contribution regardless of the election outcome. The idea to encourage community service during the first 100 days will be a force for positive change at the next election as well. In the spirit of inclusiveness the focus of GiveJust1 is not on the political party in power but on the improvement of individual communities through service by people of all parties, religions, and walks of life."
If every one of the 126,686,145 people who voted in the presidential election, regardless of party affiliation, devoted just one day of service to their community, it would equal over a billion man hours in a highly concentrated timeframe. The scope of this kind of participation is unprecedented and could bring solutions to thousands of communities in need.
The momentum for the GiveJust1 idea to promote service in the community belongs to each individual who gives of their time and energy in their own communities wherever they are in the world. It is the sharing of IDeaS, successes, stories, and pictures utilizing the social networking tools that inspires the next individual to follow the example of service. The success of the GiveJust1 effort belongs belongs to all people who serve others to make their community and the world a brighter place.
The website provides a search tool to help match participants with local access to volunteer opportunities, as well as providing ideas on how to serve. In lieu of contributions, GiveJust1 asks visitors to help their community by giving just one day of their time.