PBS NewsHour journalist Judy Woodruff interviews Zay Hartigan, Fire Chief of the Patagonia Volunteer Fire & Rescue, for her series America at a Crossroads. Woodruff's segment explores how the spirit of volunteering took root in America before the country was even founded — and why it has become a defining part of the national identity.
Share
April 24, 2026
Americans volunteer more of their time than citizens of any other country. But where did that spirit come from — and is it at risk? Judy Woodruff goes looking for answers in small-town Arizona.
Share
Before the United States was founded, the idea of volunteering was well underway in the colonies. Now, Americans consistently donate more of their time than citizens of any other country. Judy Woodruff explores how the idea took root and why it’s become a part of our national identity. It’s part of her series, America at a Crossroads.
View the transcript of the story.
NOTE: If you are short on time, watch the video and complete this See, Think, Wonder activity: What did you notice? What did the story make you think about? What would you want to learn more about?
As a class, discuss: Do you think there is a difference in volunteering and participation between your generation and previous generations?
Do you think your generation gives more of it's time or less, or about the same?
Watch the following segment in which Judy Woodruff interviews Robert Putnam, author of the book "Bowling Alone." Putnam says that civic participation is down when people become used to isolation. Do you think isolation is a special challenge for your generation? Why or why not?
Want to see more stories like this one? Subscribe to the SML e-newsletter!
Republished with permission from PBS News Hour Classroom.
Explore the rest of this series with these lesson plans from PBS News Hour Classroom.
