In the United States, almost everyone, at one time or another, has been a volunteer. According to U.S. government statistics, about one-fifth of the American population does volunteer work each year. Americans have had the tradition of volunteering and helping one another since the early days of the country. Americans volunteer not because they are forced or paid to do it. They enjoy it! Traditional volunteer activities include raising money for people in need, cooking and giving food, doing general labour (such as clean-up projects and home repair), providing transportation (such as giving rides to the elderly), and tutoring/mentoring young people. (adapted from “Volunteering: An American Tradition” by Susan J. Ellis and Katherine H. Campbell in eJournal USA: The Spirit of Volunteerism. U.S. Department of State, 2012).  25. According to the text, nearly every American has done volunteer work in his or her life.  26. Every year almost one in five Americans works as a volunteer.  27. Americans have been volunteering for less than 50 years.  28. Americans volunteer because they are forced to do it.