Feds: Utah ranks No. 1 in volunteers

SALT LAKE CITY -- The federal agency that oversees AmeriCorps ranks Utah tops for volunteerism.The Corporation for National and Community Service says 45 percent of Utah residents donated 162 million hours of service to a worthy cause last year.The agency valued those services at $3 billion. Tutoring or teaching was the top activity.Nebraska followed Utah with nearly 39 percent of residents volunteering their time. Minnesota finished third at 38.4 percent.The agency's policy chief, Robert Grimm, says despite tough economic times, the findings of the survey point to a "compassion boom."Grimm says Utah's dominant Mormon faith is a factor but that religion doesn't define volunteerism.He says rates are lower in some states with strong religious affiliations and higher in other states, like Vermont.