President Barack Obama has called upon Americans to serve those in need. He asked Americans to observe the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebration by volunteering to help people who are down on their luck or in poor health. He called for a "national day of service".

This is indeed a wonderful way to remember Dr. King. By the sad time of his assassination, Dr. King was a champion for the impoverished of all races.

The observance of MLK's life and influence comes but one day a year, and there is plenty to do for our fellow citizens the other 364 days. We are all interconnected, and by volunteering for those in need, we improve our cities and towns, our nation, our world.

Are you like me? When I was 18 -- man -- I was going to change the world. Hunger would be wiped out. Homelessness would end. I would volunteer and the planet's problems would be fixed by the sheer energy of my efforts.

Well, that was 20 years ago. My volunteerism took more than one hiatus. If I recall correctly, it even went on sabbatical one year.

Essentially, "things got in the way" of my volunteering -- life, with its demands and follies, intervened. And I became someone who often said, "I'll help tomorrow."

Why? It was not selfishness (at least, not entirely). It was that, alas, getting back into volunteering seemed daunting. Where would I possibly begin?

Recently, I arrived upon the answer to that question, and I was not at all overwhelmed. The solution turned out quite simple enough.

You see, I found a site called VolunteerMatch.org, and its mission is to do just what its URL implies -- match volunteers to service opportunities. A site like this works well for a person like me -- see, I'm a lone wolf sort ;)

Using VolunteerMatch.org lets you feel in control about with whom and where you volunteer. You don't have to seek out some group of loosely like-minded people, and you don't have to cold call local nonprofits asking how to volunteer for them. When you input your locale and area of interest on VolunteerMatch.org, you receive a list of matches and contact info. Put that list to efficient use and you'll be volunteering again before you know it!

VolunteerMatch.org can help any American honor President Obama's call to service of others. It worked for me!

I have hand-selected a few nonfiction books on the subject of volunteering, to help anyone who needs a jump-start on the road of service. I hope you find a title that helps you.

In the selection on the right, you will find books for general volunteering, and volunteering as a travel adventure.

There is also a title for busy families. As much as rearing children can be hectic and challenging, time can be found to volunteer and teach children about the benefits of serving others.

Also on the list, is a guide to volunteering written specifically for teens.

Enjoy!  And may your search to find a volunteering opportunity be fulfilling.