Efforts recognized during National Volunteer Week I n our busy lives, nothing is more valuable than time. It follows that volunteers - people who chose to give their time to make this a better community - are very valuable indeed. Fewer than one-third of adults give their time through volunteer work, according to the Corporation for National and Community Service. That makes it especially important that the efforts of those who do donate their time and energy are recognized during National Volunteer Week April 27 to May 3. People are often shocked to learn that a full 96 percent of the national American Red Cross workforce is made up of volunteers. Locally, more than 1,400 of your neighbors volunteer through the Jersey Coast Chapter, all of them working to make each of us safer. Our volunteers respond to local disasters and last year was no exception with the chapter responding to 71 disasters such as fires and provided financial assistance to 150 families. Many volunteer to go across the state or across the nation if needed. They instructed more than 47,000 people in lifesaving skills such as: water safety, first aid, CPR and babysitting. Our volunteers trained more than 47,000 people in disaster preparedness. They helped 624 local military families exchange emergency messages with their loved ones. Our 128 youth volunteers help make sure that blood is there when it is needed by organizing blood drives, recruiting donors and more. Volunteers at the Jersey Coast Chapter are dedicated, compassionate and represent all the values for which America stands. They are ordinary people who reach beyond themselves to the lives of those in need, bringing hope and opportunity, friendship and care. They are the face and the heart of America. We thank our volunteers, as well as the volunteers of so many other organizations here in Monmouth and Ocean Counties. It is hard to imagine what kind of community we would have without you and the services you provide. Bill Murray CEO Jersey Coast Chapter American Red Cross Tinton Falls Toms River