Tennessee may be known as “the Volunteer State,” but Ohio made a case for that label during the peak of the pandemic, according to U.S. Census Bureau and AmeriCorps research. During that time, 2,255,303 formal volunteers 16 and older contributed 165.9 million hours of service through organizations.

According to a report by cleveland.com, that comes out to an economic value of $4.5 billion. And that’s just the work that was formally recorded. Meanwhile, 41.75 percent of Buckeye State residents donated $25 or more to charity during the same period (September 2020 to September 2021).

Nationwide, the data shows that formal volunteering was highest among Gen Xers (those aged 41 to 46 in 2021), and those aged 16 or 17. Informally (work done for neighbors or nonrecognized organizations), volunteering was highest among baby boomers, veterans and parents.

But the bottom line is when a little extra help was needed, Ohioans stepped up. It shouldn’t be a surprise, but it is a welcome reminder that when it comes to helping our fellow humans (or animals), Buckeye State residents can be counted on to do the right thing.

Now, though our sense of urgency regarding COVID-19 has waned, there are plenty of other reasons Ohio families are struggling, and organizations are as much in need of help as ever. It’s time to step up again, folks. We already know you can do it.

editorial@tribtoday.com