Nearly 61.8 million Americans volunteered through an organization in 2008, up 1 million from the previous year. America's volunteers dedicated more than 8 billion hours of service in 2008, worth an estimated $162 billion, according to the Volunteering in America report released by the Corporation for National and Community Service.

Locally, Modern Woodmen members have shown that volunteerism is alive and well. In 2009, hundreds of service projects have taken place in the community through the support of Modern Woodmen.

"In the Quad Cities, volunteers really make a difference," says Modern Woodmen Fraternal Director Stephen Van Speybroeck. "Modern Woodmen is proud to be a part of a nationwide focus on service. In 2009, local volunteers have collected items for the needy, assembled boxes for sick children and landscaped schools and parks. These are small gestures of kindness that display the strength of the community."

The following is a snapshot of the local impact Modern Woodmen and its members have made in 2009:

· 2,250 volunteers participated in 54 projects on Join Hands Day, a national day of service sponsored by Modern Woodmen and other fraternal benefit societies. These volunteers donated more than 6,400 volunteer hours on Saturday, May 2. Specific projects included assembling 350 Jared Boxes for children with chronic illnesses, planting flowers, collecting non-perishables and beautifying parks and schools.

· 2 trees were planted by Modern Woodmen members in the Quad Cities.

· Modern Woodmen members collected donations for King's Harvest, needy children, veterans and other local food pantries.

· More than 750 thank-you cards were distributed to military men and women serving overseas.

As a fraternal benefit society, Modern Woodmen sells life insurance, annuity and investment products not to benefit stockholders, but to improve the quality of life of its stakeholders - members, their families and their communities. This is done through social, charitable and volunteer activities. In 2008, more than $23.8 million and more than 1.7 million volunteer hours were contributed nationwide for local community projects.

A Rock Island-based business, Modern Woodmen of America touches lives and secures futures. The fraternal benefit society offers financial services and fraternal member benefits to individuals and families throughout the United States.

Web links:

Volunteering in America report

Volunteering in America press release

Corporation for National and Community Service

Serve.gov

Modern Woodmen of America

Kim Woodward
Public Relations Specialist
Modern Woodmen of America
Direct: 309-793-5660
Email: Kim.Woodward@modern-woodmen.org
www.modern-woodmen.org

In June, Modern Woodmen and Royal Neighbors to honor those who serve

Thank you - two simple words that can make a big impact.

Quad Citians will be asked to write thank-you letters and cards to American troops serving overseas in honor of Flag Day, a patriotic holiday paying tribute to the adoption of the Stars and Stripes in 1777.

Modern Woodmen of America and Royal Neighbors of America, two Rock Island-based businesses, will sponsor the collection during the first two weeks of June. All cards and letters collected will be donated to the Rock Island Arsenal Chapter of Association of the United States Army to distribute to service men and women stationed overseas.

Cards and letters can be dropped off between Monday, June 1 and Sunday, June 14 at Modern Woodmen Bank, 100 17^th Avenue, downtown Rock Island.

A drive-thru drop off will be held at Royal Neighbors of America on Thursday, June 11.

Project details and guidelines:

• All ages can participate in this project - create or purchase thank-you cards to donate to the effort.

• The more positive the message the better!

• You can include your name, address and email address if you desire.

• All letters and/or cards will be screened for security reasons.

• Do not seal envelopes - they must remain open for security.

• Any size cards and letters will be accepted.

• Please do not use glitter or include food items.

Modern Woodmen and Royal Neighbors celebrate Flag Day on June 14 to honor the nation's symbol of freedom. The two Quad-City-based fraternal financial services organizations have long celebrated patriotism and proudly offer fraternal programs that continue this tradition, by donating flags, honoring veterans, and supporting troops and their families.

Founded in 1883, Modern Woodmen of America touches lives and secures futures. The fraternal benefit society offers financial services and fraternal member benefits to individuals and families throughout the United States.

Royal Neighbors of America is a non-profit fraternal membership organization with a 100-plus-year history of helping women and their families. The organization insures lives, supports women, and serves communities by offering insurance and annuity products. Its members also participate in a variety of locally based volunteer opportunities and are eligible to apply for many member benefits such as scholarships and disaster aid.