11 Reasons To Be Thankful For National Service

Every year, 440,000 Senior Corps and AmeriCorps members take an oath of service to their country. Here's 11 reasons we should be thankful for them this year.

1. National Service members provide resources and support to veterans transitioning into civilian life, and 16,000 veterans have continued to serve their country through AmeriCorps.

Via Corporation for National and Community Service

2. After Superstorm Sandy, national service members helped communities rebuild and recover.

Via Corporation for National and Community Service

In the past year, over 3,800 AmeriCorps and Senior Corps members have been deployed to six states to help recovery efforts, and are still serving to this day.

3. National Service members serve in food pantries, teach students about nutrition and plant and harvest school and community gardens, helping to make sure that no one in America goes hungry.

Via Corporation for National and Community Service

Governor Rick Snyder of Michigan working alongside AmeriCorps members to package food for seniors in Southeast Michigan. Read more from The Detroit News: http://bit.ly/1jGzMcP

4. AmeriCorps members helped make sure that the Statue of Liberty would be open by July 4th after Superstorm Sandy.

1.usa.gov / Via Corporation for National and Community Service

Read more about the AmeriCorps Cape Cod members and the cleanup of Liberty Island here: http://1.usa.gov/1caDpW5

5. With a history of bipartisan support, national service unites.

nytimes.com / Via Doug Mills/The New York Times

President Obama honors President George H. W. Bush for his legacy of service and volunteerism.

6. Senior Corps volunteers tutor and mentor students in schools, juvenile correctional institutions, and daycare facilities.

Watch the amazing work of 104 year old Foster Grandparent Virginia McLaurin: http://on.today.com/1dyr03g

7. National Service brought mayors from across the country together to settle a Super Bowl bet.

articles.baltimoresun.com / Via Kim Hairston, Baltimore Sun

San Francisco Mayor Edwin M. Lee and Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake join AmeriCorps members for a service day in Baltimore to settle their Super Bowl bet.

8. The same goes for Governors and the Stanley Cup.

Flickr: massgovernor / Via Harvey Tillis / Illinois Governor's Office

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn and Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick made good on their Stanley Cup wager by volunteering with national service members at the Chicago Food Depository. Read more: http://1.usa.gov/1aTiqHI

9. Despite the long hours, AmeriCorps members are always "fired up" in the morning to help struggling students succeed.

cityyear.org / Via City Year

City Year AmeriCorps members serve in schools across the country, tutoring and mentoring at-risk students to get them back on track to graduate.

10. AmeriCorps members work across the country as environmental stewards, tackling land and waterway improvement projects to support a cleaner, more environmentally friendly country.

11. Through Community HealthCorps, AmeriCorps members are working in health centers to give Americans of all backgrounds a healthier future.

wordpress.com / Via Community Health Corps

Community HealthCorps members pose "Rosie the Riveter" style at last year's Martin Luther King, Jr. National Day of Service.

Take a moment to thank a national service member for their service, and reflect on the impact they are having across the country.

Find out how you can help ensure national service opportunities continue to grow and make an impact at www.voicesforservice.org.