More than a million Americans volunteered in 2008, compared to the previous year, according to a study by the Corporation for National and Community Service. Dr. Robert Grimm, with the CNCS , says this is significant as normally in economic downtimes, fewer people are willing to help out. He calls this a "surprising, shocking finding."
Grimm says Madison is ranked fifth among top mid sized cities in volunteering and neighbor engagement has spiked in Wisconsin. The Badger state is ranked 12th nationwide.
Research was done using census data and information from non-profit groups.