The third annual AmeriCorps Week, May 9 - 16, 2009, provides the perfect opportunity for AmeriCorps members, alums, grantees, program partners, and friends to shine a spotlight on the work done by members, and to motivate more Americans to serve their communities. Many events are planned across the country.

This week in Illinois, several events will take place in and around the Chicago area. Specifically:

Belleville AmeriCorps Adopts Walking Trail

A one-mile portion of a 6 mile walking trail will be adopted. To commemorate this event, AmeriCorps members, partners, and local citizens will join in a walk for service while also cleaning-up the walking trail. The "clean-up walk" will take place on Friday, May 8th with dedication of the trail by the Belleville Mayor on May 11th. The trail is located at 512 West Main Street, Belleville, IL.

5th Annual Community Growth Day

On May 9th, volunteers will meet at Lowell Elementary School, 3320 W. Hirsch St., Chicago, to work in various gardens in and around Humboldt Park. Volunteers will be doing tasks such as weeding, building raised flower beds, cleaning up trash, painting signs and many other tasks. When the day is finished, a barbeque lunch will be provided to all volunteers.

For more information about these events, or to volunteer, visit the AmeriCorps Week website: www.americorpsweek.gov

AmeriCorps is an opportunity to make a big difference in your life and in the lives of those around you. It's a chance to apply your skills and ideals toward helping others and meeting critical needs in the community.

Each year, AmeriCorps offers 75,000 opportunities for adults of all ages and backgrounds to serve through a network of partnerships with local and national nonprofit groups. Whether your service makes a community safer, gives a child a second chance, or helps protect the environment, you'll be getting things done through AmeriCorps.

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