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Mrs. Obama: President Obama has said that the challenges we face
are unprecedented and that we need to build a new foundation
for economic growth in America.
The administration has begun this work with the dramatic new
investments in education, health care, and clean energy.
But we cannot do this alone here in Washington.
Economic recovery is as much about what you're doing in your
communities as what we are doing here in Washington.
And it's going to take all of us working together.
Today marks the kick-off of united we serve,
the administration's nationwide summer service initiative.
With the knowledge that ordinary people can achieve extraordinary
things when given the proper tools, this initiative aims to
both expand the impact of existing organizations and
encourage people like you and me to develop our own
do-it-yourself service projects.
And you can do this all online at serve.gov.
In fact, just think of serve.gov as your online resource for service.
It makes it easy to not only find volunteer opportunities in
your community, but it also helps you create and
promote your own service projects.
So if you have a great volunteer idea, like a book drive for a
local school, or cleaning up a neighborhood park, the tools on
serve.gov help you turn that great idea into a successful service project.
You may know that service has been my life's work in many ways.
It's near and dear to my heart.
Earlier in my career I helped start a wonderful service
organization in Chicago that helped young people pursue
careers in public service.
I've never been happier in my life than when I was working to
build that organization.
See there's a feeling that you get when you help somebody else
achieve their goals, the fulfillment of putting your
faith into action and feeling that you're part of something
bigger than yourself, and doing your part for the greater good.
And while many of us it may seem impossible to squeeze even more
time out of the day and do more, because we all have busy lives.
This summer the president and I are asking you to
make time and do your part.
And I promise you won't regret it.
So, wherever your interests lie, whether it's working with
young people or caring for the sick and elderly in our hospitals,
or helping to make the homes in your neighborhood more
energy-efficient, or any other issue, the most important thing
is for you to get involved.
So log on to serve.gov and let's work together to build a new foundation for America.
As the President says, America's new foundation will be built one community as a time.
And that starts with you.