Because together we rock

By Rachel Manuel

During Volunteer Awareness Day at the State Capitol this week, 11 individuals and organizations from across the state were recognized for their impact in their local communities and inducted into the Iowa Volunteer Hall of Fame. One of those organizations was The 10,000 Hours Show, which is a student-led organization advised by United Way.

Here in central Iowa we have The 10,000 Hours Show of Central Iowa (10KCI), which is led by students at Drake and Iowa State. The 10,000 Hours Show is a year-round effort to engage young people in service, and it culminates each spring with a free concert for those who have completed 10 or more hours of service. I was especially excited to hear about their recognition, as prior to working for United Way of Central Iowa, I was a student leader for The 10,000 Hours Show at Drake. Now I have the honor of advising 10KCI on behalf of UWCI.

After its second year as its own project in central Iowa, 10KCI recognized 22,135 hours of service by 936 volunteers, at more than 300 local nonprofits. Volunteers were recognized by nationally-known recording artists Jet and Reel Big Fish. As we enter our third year, plans are solidified to host another concert on April 4, 2009 at Drake University featuring the band Augustana. (Hit songs include "Boston" and "Sweet and Low".)

If you haven't had the chance to attend a 10KCI concert, there's no time like the present. It's a pretty great feeling to look around at the concert and realize everyone is there because they gave back to their community. To register just go to their Web site (http://www.10000hoursci.org/). By registering you're actually creating a "volunteer account" with UWCI, and you have access to view volunteer opportunities with hundreds of community organizations, and log your hours as you complete them.

As the students of 10KCI say..."Because together we rock."

P.S. For those of you who know me, I promise all my posts won't be about 10K.