The Service News Digest is a regular feature on the Serve.Gov blog. In this series, we showcase news highlights that feature national service and Corporation for National and Community Service programs. Take a look at some of the great stories that had people talking recently.

Winthrop Students Collect Books, Read to Children
The Rock Hill Herald, December 9, 2011

"They bring in large, traveling tents and set them up in rural areas," explained Matthew Sohner, AmeriCorps VISTA worker at Winthrop University. "People walk for miles to come in and spend the day reading books with the children, and they take books home. It's an opportunity to increase literacy in an area that really doesn't have a structured library available in every community." Read more >>

AmeriCorps Clearing Trails for Marine Education Center
WLOX-TV, December 8, 2011

AmeriCorps workers are wrapping-up a trail making project in Ocean Springs. They've spent the past several weeks removing Katrina debris from the University of Southern Mississippi owned Cedar Point property. The AmeriCorps team helped create a series of trails in the woods adjacent to the Gulf Coast Research Lab's Cedar Point facilities. Read more >>

Reaffirming Our Commitment to National Service
The Hill, December 6, 2011

As the country struggles to get the economy moving forward and families and communities are seeking new and cost-effective ways to solve the problems they face, those participating in citizen service across the country are quietly rolling up their sleeves and bringing new ideas and new energy to solving the problems related to education, affordable housing, energy and much more. Read more >>

AmeriCorps Team Working to Make Iowa Greener
The Cedar Rapids Gazette, December 7, 2011

The group's mission is to assist Iowans in developing a “green” consciousness through home energy audits, environmental education and community outreach. Members, who earn a stipend for their 10 months of service, have been involved in tree planting, highway cleanup, solar car modules, developing eco-crafts and educational discussions on recycling and reducing personal energy consumption. Read more >>

Group Deploys Aides for Military's Children
The Tampa Tribune, December 6, 2011

Sims is a volunteer with the Foster Grandparent Program, part of Seniors in Service of Tampa Bay Inc., a nonprofit organization that offers senior citizens a chance to serve as mentors.For nearly three decades, the Foster Grandparent Program has provided volunteers such as Sims to schools in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties with the largest concentration of poverty. Read more >>

Glory Mose's Military Service Helps her Connect with Veterans
The Ventura County Star, December 2, 2011

Glory Mose was a company commander for three platoons while serving as a registered nurse in the Army. Now the 67-year-old Oxnard resident volunteers at Oxnard Family Circle supporting local veterans through the Senior Companion Program. Read more >>

Native American students and educators face a unique set of circumstances surrounding tribal communities, including poverty, loss of culture and identity, and high suicide rates, all threatening students' academic success.
 

On the National Service blog, the past few weeks have been dedicated to veterans. We've shared stories of WWII and Gulf War vets, of vets inspiring and helping young people, and of vets serving their country on the battlefield, and off.
 

Among the milestone events that have marked our nation's history, World Word II is one everyone knows of but few remember. The heroes of that war, their shared sacrifice and their continued dedication, shows they truly are the greatest generation. Montana's Bernard Mulder, 89, is one of these heroes.
 

It's no secret that personal attention in the classroom can deliver big results on a report card. For children of military families, that extra kindness can be even more crucial.
 

When Joseph Aragon heads to school in the morning you won't find him toting a backpack stuffed with school supplies or carrying a lunchbox. Instead, this 64 year-old brings with him a lifetime of experience and knowledge to share with the students of Blanche Pope Elementary School on the Hawaiian Homestead land in Waimanalo.
 

On April 27, Tuscaloosa, Alabama was on the minds of many Americans, but most didn't realize the damage statewide, especially in the small town of Hackleburg, population 1,500. In a rural area nearly 100 miles away from Birmingham, Hackleburg remains in the shadow of Tuscaloosa but the damage was just as bad, if not worse. The majority of the town was demolished and 17 residents were killed in the storm.
 

On Wednesday July 12, 2011, I was honored to participate in a White House event on senior volunteerism and service. At the event, Melody Barnes, Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council, explained that seniors in service creates a “win-win” situation—communities benefit from the volunteers and the volunteers benefit from the act of serving.