Veterans Day 2010 Executive Summary
“Last Veterans Day, Jill and I helped launch Mission Serve – a national network that brings civilian and military service groups together to help support our troops and families. But this network also encourages communities to tap that incredible spirit of service of our militaryfamilies, as well as the talents of our veterans.” – First Lady Michelle Obama, January 26, 2010
Mission Serve’s “Veterans Day 2010: A Call to Service” initiative was designed to help all Americans answer the question, “how can I personally support and engage our veterans and military families?”
Thanks to the efforts of our team and our partners, there are now more than 2,200 military-connected volunteer opportunities available to Americans across all 50 states that can be found online by entering your zip code into MissionServe.org or Serve.gov. This is up from 463 opportunities that were searchable as of August 2010.
“On Veterans Day and every day, it's our sacred duty to honor the service of those who sacrifice for our country - and we all can play a role. I want to thank Mission Serve for giving Americans concrete ways to offer their thanks through service." – Dr. Jill Biden, November 10, 2011
To achieve this goal, Mission Serve:
- Compiled a list of 7,714 Veterans and Military-Family-service organizations, non-profits, places of worship, membership clubs, and more.
- Called each at least one time, and usually more
- Made contact with 3,176 of the organizations.
“There is a sea of goodwill out there, made up of people, places, programs, all eagerly seeking and serving those in need. Our challenge, however, lies in connecting these programs, not only to those who need help, but to each other. And you’re doing that… That is why ServiceNation is so important.” - Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen, September 12, 2008
To highlight these efforts, during Veterans Day week, we partnered with 38 non-profits and veterans service organizations in two dozen cities and military installations across the country, bringing together nearly 8,000 veterans, servicemembers, military families, and civilians in volunteerism. Through MissionServe.org and Serve.gov, many more will have the opportunity to continue joining together in volunteerism throughout the year.
Leading Americans Who Served With Us On Veterans Day >>
“ServiceNation was inspired by the potential of bringing together the civilian and military service sectors... And thus Mission Serve was born.” – Founding Mission Serve Chair Colonel (Ret.) Rob Gordon, Currently Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Military Community and Family Policy – November 11, 2009
We were honored to be joined at these projects by leading Americans from all walks of life, including Dr. Jill Biden, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral and Mrs. Mike and Deborah Mullen, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and California’s First Lady Maria Shriver, Secretary of Energy Steven Chu, Senators Dick Durbin, George LeMieux, and Mark Warner, Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Military Community and Family Policy Rob Gordon, Deputy Chief, US Army Reserves Brigadier General Leslie Purser, Director of AmeriCorps John Gomperts, Mayors Antonio Villaraigosa and Mike McGinn, CEO of Be the Change, Inc. Alan Khazei, CEO of Civic Enterprises John Bridgeland, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters Karen Mathis, President of NBC / Universal Ron Meyer, Founder of Teaching Gardens Kelly Meyer, Ultimate Fighting Championship star Brandon Vera, Actors Rob McElhenney, Kaitlin Olson, Monique Coleman, Miranda Cosgrove, Corbin Bleu, New York Yankees Manager Joe Girardi, and many, many more. Click here to learn more.
"This Veterans Day, I am proud to stand alongside... thousands of others across America -- from Dr. Jill Biden to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen -- as part of the Veterans Day Call to Service, led by the nonprofit organization Mission Serve." – Senator Mark Warner, recipient of the 2010 Mission Serve Award for Excellence in Military and Civilian Service, November 11, 2010
Find out more about the impact of the service projects >>
Mission Serve partnered with local sponsors and organizations to hold 24 signature service events with veterans around the country. Find out more about our impact and reach on that day.
