February 25, 2011 - Today during lunch, I'm going to visit the local office of one of my elected officials to speak up for service-learning funding. The National Service-Learning Partnership is not a Learn and Serve America grantee. In fact, we've never received funds from the Corporation for National and Community Service. Nevertheless, I will participate in the Save Service District Day today.

As an organization that believes in the power of youth engaged in service-learning, we realize how important Learn and Serve America is to providing a strong foundation for service-learning in almost every state and in schools and communities nationwide. So many of service-learning superstars and exemplary programs got their start with support from Learn and Serve America. More than 500,000 teachers and community partners access the resources of the National Service-Learning Clearinghouse each year. A much-needed service-learning longitudinal study is finally underway, but could come to an abrupt halt if we lose this fight.

There's a lot at stake and YOU still have the chance to make a difference.

Today, more than 2,000 people will make the case for service and service-learning to policymakers right in their own neighborhoods and communities. As part of the Save Service District Day, teams of regular people will visit local congressional offices to help policymakers and their staff realize the value and broad-based support for the Corporation for National and Community Service and its programs, which includes Learn and Serve America.

Even though the Save Service District Day is already underway, there is still something you can do!

Take a few minutes to drop by the local office of your elected officials today to express support for service-learning, the Corporation for National and Community Service, and Learn and Serve America. You don't need an appointment for a scheduled meeting. Just show up! Ask to see your Member of Congress. If she/he is not available, ask to speak to the District Director or a staff member responsible for appropriations or education/service policy issues

Use the talking points and fact sheet available at http://www.servicelearningunited.org/ to help articulate what we stand to lose if funding for Learn and Serve America and the Corporation for National and Community Service goes away.

Next week, there will be a strong push to have phone calls and faxes sent to members of the U.S. Senate. Today, however, let's continue to urge people to drop by the local offices of their elected officials. We want to give Members of Congress and their staff the opportunity to put a face to the "cuts."

A small amount of your time today will help make a BIG difference in the weeks ahead as the Congress continues discussions and decisions for service-learning funding. Tell your service-learning story today.