Very Important People
Volunteering is an American tradition
that has made an immeasurable contribution to communities,
organizations, and individuals throughout the country. In
2002, 44 percent of American adults over the age of 21 volunteered.
Today's volunteers are active, dynamic, creative individuals
who possess the skills, desire, patience, and time to accomplish
a wide variety of tasks.
Volunteers-In-Parks are Very Important People
(VIPs)! In Fiscal Year 2003, 122,000 volunteers donated 4.5
million hours to your national parks at a value of $77.3 million.
VIPs come from all over the world to help
preserve and protect America's natural and cultural heritage
for the enjoyment of this and future generations. Volunteers
of all ages give of their time and expertise to help achieve
the National Park Service mission.
VIP Program Mission
The National Park Service Volunteers-In-Parks
Program (VIP) was authorized by Public Law 91-357 enacted
1970. The primary purpose of the VIP program is to provide
a vehicle through which the National Park Service can accept
and utilize voluntary help and services from the public. The
major objective of the program is to utilize this voluntary
help in such a way that is mutually beneficial to the National
Park Service and the volunteer.
Volunteers are accepted from the public
without regard to race, creed, religion, age, sex, sexual
orientation, national origin, or disability.
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