The Corporation for National and Community Service said about 550,000 people volunteered in the first year after the 20005 hurricane and 600,000 in the past year, The (New Orleans) Times-Picayune reported.

"The generosity of the American people has been overwhelming," said Donald Powell, the federal coordinator for rebuilding the Gulf Coast.

Powell spoke at a news conference at Beauregard Middle School in Violet. The school has been converted into the new Camp Hope, providing temporary housing for 200 volunteers a week. The previous Camp Hope was a nearby elementary school.

Sandy Scott, a spokesman for the corporation said a similar level of volunteer effort will be needed for another eight years. But he said the tasks needed will shift from rebuilding to medical care, tutoring and similar tasks.