This Issue:

Table of Contents

Cover Story

Cover Story - Spanish Version

Mini-Lesson

Comprehension Quiz

Teacher's Guide and Worksheets

A Time To Serve

Spanish Translation

Community service makes the world a better place. Jack McShane, 13, goes to City Park in New Orleans, Louisiana, every Saturday. He mows the grass for free. The city cannot pay people to keep the park looking nice right now. Jack does it because he loves his hometown.

Can Everyone Pitch In?

Many national leaders want to find a way to help Americans serve others, like Jack does. In a 2002 survey, 7 out of every 10 Americans said that all citizens should serve as volunteers.

"People understand the idea that this is a great country, but that greatness isn't free," says Zach Maurin, who helped start ServeNext.org. His group hopes to get the 2008 presidential candidates to support community service.

In 2006, more than 61 million Americans volunteered. Here are some ideas from leaders who hope to help more people give their time.

Baby Bonds: Give every newborn American a $5,000 bond. When the person turns 18, he or she would get the money after spending a year as a volunteer.

Summer of Service: In one summer, teenage students could earn $500 for college by volunteering to help younger kids.

Rapid Response Team: This volunteer group would be trained to help when disasters strike.

Grandparents' Fund: For 500 hours of service, older volunteers would get $1,000. They would put it in an education savings account for a grandchild, or any student.

Such programs would take money and hard work. But the result could be a stronger, richer, prouder nation.

Next: A Country in Flames