New book by Shirley Sagawa tells of the importance of volunteering

Shirley Sagawa, the author of The American Way to Change: How National Service and Volunteers are Transforming America, would know a thing or two about serving. She has been a part of the growing national service movement for the past 20 years- from being on Senator Ted Kennedy's staff as steps towards the AmeriCorps were accepted by President George W. Bush to witnessing the day when President Obama signed with Edward M. Kennedy for the ServeAmerica act in the spring of 2009.

Her book, The American Way to Change, builds on her experience with serving and volunteering to document the reasons of the success of these ideas. It offers accounts and tribulations of positive impacts that service has on participants. The book also shows the rapid growth in numbers in volunteering, making possible the expansion of needed services.

Sagawa also talks about a future in which engagement of active citizens could and possibly will "solve the seemingly intractable problems holding back this country from achieving its full potential."

The book spans the nation and the possibilities with statistics and stories showing the positive effects of programs on participants and communities. It's a great read, so make sure to check it out the next time you're wandering aimlessly through Barnes & Noble.