Obama, Powell Promote Call For Community Service, Launch Website (VIDEO)

The Obamas have chosen Monday, January 19, a day already filled with significance for its designation as Martin Luther King Jr. Day, as a National Day of Service. Yesterday, Michelle Obama sent out a video message asking Americans throughout the country to join with her and Barack as they kick off the service initiative.

And on Friday, former secretary of state Colin Powell added his voice to the mix. According to the AP:

Former secretary of state Colin Powell helped promote a mass volunteer initiative on behalf of US president-elect Barack Obama Friday, calling on Americans to make long-term commitment to serve their communities.

Obama and his family, along with vice president-elect Joe Biden and his wife, are set to officially launch the "Renew America Together" initiative on the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday January 19 -- the day before Obama's inauguration -- by taking part in community service activities in Washington.

The inaugural committee has also launched a new website -- usaservice.org -- in order to help like-minded Americans find volunteer opportunities that match their time, need, and location. Users can also promote their own community service events.

Watch Powell promote the "Renew America Together" initiative:

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Comments

[Scar1]

What Is Wrong With People?
President Obama and Vice President Biden have not long been sworn in and we got “gutless” attacks already. Women complaining about percentages; white racist threatening; war; economy, etc. and what are you doing to help-not a damn thing but, complaining. Some of you should have done that, 8 years ago. Here is someone really trying to make changes with a “train wreck” and everyone has so much to say now. How about Mr. President can we help you with something or give an idea or some constructive assistance. Oh no, just run off at the mouth and make matters worse.
Obama and Biden aren’t afraid. We pray for them and rebuke all enemies. They have the weight of the World upon them but, God is with them and will continue to carry them through the storm. When, the wave crash all around them “Peace Be Still”. When, “men persecute them and say all manner of things against; them they are exceedingly glad.” When, they are alone in the midnight hour; it is well with their souls.
So, what is wrong with people? They cannot see their own spots. They only see what they want to see which is what makes them happy and not what is the good for all people. Find something to do. Get a grip! The ship is sinking and you complaining are weighing down the capacity to float. The rest of this navy is sailing on.

[berrycooda]

Funny that Colin Powell wasn't even heard of for years after he didn't do a very
good job as Sec of State under the Bush Adm. until Obama got into politics.

Now all of a sudden he is a Bush Basher and a kissy kissy..

Talk about changing colors....­With a friend like that, who needs an enemy...

[Scar1]

What Is Wrong With People?
President Obama and Vice President Biden have not long been sworn in and we got “gutless” attacks already. Women complaining about percentages; white racist threatening; war; economy, etc. and what are you doing to help-not a damn thing but, complaining. Some of you should have done that, 8 years ago. Here is someone really trying to make changes with a “train wreck” and everyone has so much to say now. How about Mr. President can we help you with something or give an idea or some constructive assistance. Oh no, just run off at the mouth and make matters worse.
Obama and Biden aren’t afraid. We pray for them and rebuke all enemies. They have the weight of the World upon them but, God is with them and will continue to carry them through the storm. When, the wave crash all around them “Peace Be Still”. When, “men persecute them and say all manner of things against; them they are exceedingly glad.” When, they are alone in the midnight hour; it is well with their souls.
So, what is wrong with people? They cannot see their own spots. They only see what they want to see which is what makes them happy and not what is the good for all people. Find something to do. Get a grip! The ship is sinking and you complaining are weighing down the capacity to float. . The rest of this navy is sailing on.

[aweissnet]

So many things we can do! while some of us are worried about having a roof over our heads next week. The haves don't care much about the have nots, as long as they're warm and comfy. And I'm sure glad our government is doing all they can do ... to help those bankers. Where would those fat cats be without our generous government?

[LaHenche]

...I mean, there ain't NOTHING else going on. Your career has been abruptly cancelled. Get involved. In something. Anything beyond yourselves.

Skills and time. Charity is the new currency. It's not what you got, but what you got to give!

[aweissnet]

You have to have, to give.

A homeless person with no roof over their head, and no food to eat, is ill-equipped to help others. This is extreme, but a jobless person with no hope in sight, and no family around, has that in their vision. That's reality. Seems like people not in that circumstance can't grasp that.

[Cil]

Sorry folks, I hit the "post" button inadvertently!

What I wanted to continue posting in my comment, was the fact, that
Barack's whole Community Service drive is to simply "Give Back to your Community"
It never hurts to LEND A HELPING HAND......­...WHO KNOWS, YOU MAY ONE DAY
NEED THE SUPPORT OF YOUR COMMUNITY.­..........­. O NO I FORGOT, you have it all,
and you will never need SUPPORT FROM 'YOUR COMMUNITY"!

Whether you like it or not "YOU ARE PART OF YOUR COMMUNITY" in much the same
way that you are part of your family, and to those with NEGATIVE FEELINGS about
helping out in your Community, I guess that you are the same people who refuse to
LEND A HELPING HAND to those who are less fortunate than you!

So to all of you naysayers, I DON'T THINK THAT YOUR COMMUNITY NEEDS YOU AS
A COMMUNITY SERVICE VOLUNTEER!

[Cil]

Folks, BARACK OBAMA WAS A COMMUNITY ORGANIZER!

President Elect Barack Obama turned away from lucrative
job positions and worked as a Community Organizer in
Chicago!

Barack's whole Community

[Tipotter]

Scary business going on here. This whole community service/national service talk is scary business folks. Before we know it we'll be all digging trenches and buildings for "the good of the whole." Nah, I like personal freedoms..­.you know what the constitution says, that kind of thing.

[getsmart 73]

uh, you sound like the kind of person who needs to do some work in your community. I don't think volunteering at the local food bank or homeless shelter automatically turns you into a socialist.

[Tipotter]

I do community service thank you very much. I just think the government FORCING people to work, that is what it is, work, is scary. When you do community service you are working, you work to help people/animals whatever it may be, knowing full well that you are not getting paid. You do it on your own accord, you have your own motivations and interests. When the government forces you to work, without wage, you are nothing more then a slave.

If you want to do community service, great. I do and I enjoy it thoroughly. Also I get to choose where I spend my time. This whole community service thing is a slippery slope. Who knows what kind of monster it could turn into in the future.

Alas, I have a great Idea. How about people who collect welfare have to do community service, I am fine by that. Us taxpayers are supporting them so in all reality they should be doing some work? Even an hour or two a week, nothing major? How about the homeless, they could help out, we do feed them everyday with nothing in return? Come on, Government is not the answer to our ills.

I'm interested in a response

[totoro23]

I figure if you are a teacher, nurse, policeman, firefighter, social worker, educational aide, or work for a living in any lower-wage job, you are already volunteering your time for the community. Let the people who don't work for a living do the volunteering.

[UrbanRube]

I'm a big fan of people in all of the professions you mention. But whether you're working for a living or not, it's good for one's own soul or mental health and good for the people one serves to volunteer. Help kids read an hour a week and keep one or two or three kid/kids off welfare later in life. Everyone wins.

[mergina]

Community service huh? Voluntary huh? When millions of Americans are out of work, broke, starving and wondering how they are going to survive? Good luck with all of that.

[UrbanRube]

Some of us will do it a couple of hours a week because it's good for everyone. Even those of us who've had a layoff in our immediate families. It's better than sitting around watching TV or checking the Twitter feed all day.

[aweissnet]

What if you're the only provider in your family, and maybe the only parent with children around? Gimme a break.

[aweissnet]

Seriously.

[pokemon]

I serve my community everyday, difference for today is that it is 0 degrees while I work instead of 30.

[SoAppropos]

I am doing a clothing swap/food drive event at my house. I invited lots of women I know and we'll have snacks, drinks and laughs. Any clothes not claimed will be donated to the local church who provides services to those in need. The food bank will receive our nonperishable food donations. Anyone can do something like this.

[dryrock]

There are HUGE personal benefits to volunteering. Having done it for 12 years, I have met some of the most compassionate people one can imagine. I have seen people, whole families, enduring poverty that puts our country to shame - and not because they were lazy.

And of course there are HUGE benefits to your community. Less suffering, less insecurity, less poverty - which makes your community a healthier and safer place. Win-Win.

Not everyone can afford the time from family and work. If you can, go for it. You'll be glad you did.

[commonsensor]

ADDENDUM TO PREVIOUS POST: Just went onto the website. The only events in a 15 mile radius of me are fundraising drives. NONE of the events are wanting volunteers­.....only money.

[Smurfaveli]

Gotta start somewhere.­..if you don't want to donate, be that person that creates a volunteer event.

[UrbanRube]

That would be kind of depressing, commonsensor, I agree. But there are also great sites like volunteermatch.org that have given me a couple of ideas for things that won't derail my schedule, but will help me give to someone who needs help (time, food, etc.).

[aweissnet]

There you go. Maybe the government can consider giving.

[commonsensor]

When I was in college I did community service all the time (reader for the blind, teachers assistant for disabled children, etc. etc.) but as a working adult, whenever I try to volunteer anywhere I am told "Yes, well we have more than enough volunteers what we really need are donations.­" So in other words...sp­are us your good will....gi­ve us your money.

Does anyone even remember that every past president has done this EXACT SAME THING. Bill Clinton's last big hoopla was the most similar to this one - anyone remember AMERICA CORPS? Every new administration starts out with a grandiose "Community Service Initiative" and it's always the same....a PR stunt that doesn't really accomplish anything.

But hey, it IS nice to see Colin Powell again. If at all possible, I hope he finds a way to redeem himself. I was angry at how he sold out but I also believe him when he says it was the worst mistake he ever made and considers it a permanent blot on his record. He's a decent man that got caught up in the wrong crowd. I would like to see this man salvaged.

[SoAppropos]

Your cynicism is amazing. Why not do your own community service. Perhaps you need credit for doing something? Buy a sack of groceries and take it to a community kitchen. It's pretty simple.

[NHMOM63]

This is NOT A STUNT..Bar­ack Obama has himself done community service in the Southside of Chicago. I have for about 39 years now and I am only 45..my son's school and I are putting events together to help others, as I feel everyone should....­and you can work and volunteer too...do that on a weekend

[mb32]

I really don't think this is a stunt. Many people have for years used MLK Day as a day of service instead of just a day off work. I usually don't take the day off and I can't this year b/c of deadlines. But I do plan to volunteer this weekend and/or give a donation if I can (in this economy every dollar is important to a charity). I agree that it is nice to see Colin Powell.

[azcamp]

My son and his best friend spent one summer in Americorps tutoring inner city elementary school children. It was a great experience and his best friend is now teaching in an alternative school in Long Beach CA. Americorps was not a PR gimmick for the thousands of high school students who earned college tuition vouchers for their summer work.

I would like to see the program expanded so more people, of all ages, could earn college tuition by serving the educational community, the elderly and needy veterans.

[kellygrrrl]

Welcome Back, General Powell.