WASHINGTON, June 22 (UPI) -- Members of the Obama administration fanned across the United States Monday to kick off "United We Serve," a summer challenge to volunteer in communities.
"Last week, I announced United We Serve -- a nationwide call to service challenging you and all Americans to volunteer this summer and be part of building a new foundation for America," Obama said in an e-mail. "We need individuals, community organizations, corporations, foundations and our government to be part of this effort."
Labor Secretary Hilda Solis participated in the "green" refurbishing and painting of a Los Angeles low-income residence with high school students and adult volunteers as part of its United We Serve kick-off, the Labor Department said in a news release.
"Helping our neighbors is something that all Americans have done for decades and what makes this country great," Solis said.
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar traveled to Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to remove exotic plants that are harmful to the natural environment as his marking the beginning of the United We Serve initiatives.
