More volunteers needed

Journal & Courier, Lafayette, Ind.: As we tend to do in so many ways, Hoosiers are about right in the middle when it comes to a national ranking for the percentage of the population that volunteers on a regular basis.

A new report from the Corporation for National and Community Service credits 28.2 percent of Indiana residents who volunteered regularly in 2013. And those volunteers put in an average of 30.8 hours over the course of that year. That put Indiana at No. 23 among all states.

As for more middling statistics, the numbers represented drops on volunteerism, though — down 3.5 percentage points from 2012 and down 4.3 percentage points since a decade ago.

Bottom line: Indiana has room for improvement. According to the numbers in the report, Hoosiers already have shown they can do better.

New Year’s resolution

Revitalized by a season of so many giving holidays and celebrations — or worn out, take your pick — the natural inclination is to look to the New Year. How about a New Year’s resolution that commits time to church, a nonprofit organization, youth activities or a school?

The opportunities are there.