LANSING – The Michigan Community Service Commission is encouraging Michiganders to volunteer during April, National Volunteer Month.

To support volunteers, The Michigan Community Service Commission today announced it will fund 58 Global Youth Service Day volunteer projects engaging nearly 5,000 volunteers who will serve to benefit Michigan communities. Projects include providing child-size masks to youth, planting community gardens and meeting other community needs.

“It is really important that young people contribute to the community they live in. Volunteering helps foster a lifelong passion for helping others,” Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II said. “Global Youth Service Day is a great time to celebrate youth who are not only serving, but leading volunteer efforts and using their voice to support community needs.”

The Michigan Community Service Commission is awarding $24,800 in grants to organizations ranging from $100 to $1,000 to engage youth in service. Funding has also been provided by AmeriCorps and Youth Service America.

“Youth volunteerism is one of the critical pillars for the state to support community efforts and impact change. Youth voice needs to be part of the equation in solving the challenges of our communities,” said Michigan Community Service Commission Executive Director Ginna Holmes.

Global Youth Service Day, April 23 to 25, falls during National Volunteer Week, April 18 through 24.

“We encourage everyone to find a way to serve others this month,” Holmes said.

The Global Youth Service Day projects are happening in communities across the state, some of which need volunteers. For a complete list of projects, the Michigan Community Service Commission is supporting, and details on how Michiganders can join the efforts, visit Michigan.gov/volunteer.