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Celebrities Join Mayors To Encourage Volunteerism


By

Jen Chung

Published Sep 11, 2009

Modified Sep 11, 2009


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By

Jen Chung

Published Sep 11, 2009

Modified Sep 11, 2009


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Ashton and Demi joined Mike and Cory—Mayor Bloomberg and Newark Mayor Booker, that is—in Times Square yesterday to kick off a volunteerism and service effort called I Participate, which helps citizens find volunteer opportunities near them, as well as Bloomberg's Cities of Service, which will "identify local sectors where volunteers are most needed, match community organizations with volunteers" and share best practices. Besides New York and Newark, other cities and mayor participating are Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Los Angeles, Nashville, Phoenix, DC, and many more.

Booker said, "We all know that America is not a spectator sport, it's a democracy and we have to get in the game." And Kutcher was wowed by the Cities of Service effort —he Tweeted, "Wow. Just met with 15 amazing mayors from around the country who are working hard to ease the process of volunteering in local communities."

Mayor Bloomberg told the crowd, "We're going to fulfill what President Obama and what the Congress asked us to do. That is to make America a country of service." And later he told MTV, "I sat next to Alicia Keys at dinner two weeks ago. My girlfriend was very jealous, I can tell you that. I don't think her boyfriend was, but that's neither here nor there."

Tagged

ashton kutcher

Cities of Service

cory booker

demi moore

I Participate

mayor bloomberg

volunteerism


Jen Chung

Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.

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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


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