Obama unveils volunteer program

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa, Dec. 5 (UPI) -- A Craigslist-like online network for volunteers is part of a plan Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., unveiled as a way to involve more Americans in public service.

"Loving your country shouldn't just mean watching fireworks on the Fourth of July; loving your country must mean accepting your responsibility to do your part to change it," the Democratic presidential hopeful said Wednesday in Iowa. "And if you do stand up, I promise you that your life will be richer, and our country will be stronger."

Besides the online database of volunteer opportunities, Obama also proposed more than tripling the AmeriCorps positions to allow the program to focus on education, clean energy, veterans, healthcare and homeland security, The Hill reported.

Obama's plan also would double the size of the Peace Corps, put in place a program that boosts public diplomacy and get students to volunteer their time to community service.