Did you hear President Obama speak the other night? I was  impressed with the direction he plans to move the country.  I like his emphasis on education, health, and energy, all areas which are critical to our country’s  future growth.    His mantra is community involvement and activism.  I couldn’t agree more.  We hope and expect government to help improve the quality of our lives, but we as individuals must do our share to help.  It’s up to us as citizens to contribute collectively to our well-being.  On that note, here’s the information from the most recent Hopelink press release asking for volunteers the needs of the Kirkland/Eastside community.

Bellevue, Wash. – Hopelink, a 38-year-old nonprofit agency helping families, senior citizens and people with disabilities in east and north King County, needs more volunteers at its centers in Redmond, Bellevue, Kirkland, Shoreline, Bothell and Carnation.

Hopelink relies upon volunteers for such jobs as sorting food in its food banks, helping adults learn to read or do basic math or study for the GED exams, delivering food to homebound clients, or answering phones and helping with administrative tasks. Last year, more than 1,950 volunteers donated nearly 60,000 hours to help Hopelink fulfill its mission of assisting people in need to make lasting change in their lives.

With the large-scale National Letter Carrier’s Food Drive coming up on Saturday, May 9, Hopelink will particularly need volunteers to help pack, receive, and sort food donations at area post offices and Hopelink food banks. Individuals, families and groups are invited to help with the large volume of food that the drive is expected to generate.

Hopelink continues to need new volunteers over age 16 and welcomes anyone interested to an orientation meeting to learn more about Hopelink and its many volunteer opportunities:

· Wednesday, March 4, 2009, at Hopelink’s Adult Education Department office, 15015 Main Street, Suite 206 in Kelsey Creek Plaza (across from the main Hopelink center) in Bellevue. An afternoon orientation will start promptly at 1:00 p.m. and end at 2:30 p.m. An evening orientation will start promptly at 7:00 p.m. and end at 8:30 p.m.

· Thursday, March 5, from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. at Hopelink’s Bothell center, 18220 96^th Ave. NE in Bothell.

· Wednesday, March 11, from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. at Hopelink’s Carnation center, 31957 Commercial Street in Carnation.

For more information, go to www.hope-link.org/takeaction/volunteer. For information on how young people between middle school and high school age can help Hopelink, please visit http://youthlink.hope-link.org/ .

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Since 1971, Hopelink has helped homeless and low income families, children, seniors and people with disabilities make lasting change in their lives. Hopelink promotes self-sufficiency by helping people meet their needs for food, shelter,