MIDDLETOWN, OH (FOX19) - National Volunteer Week 2011, Celebrating People in Action, honors those who dedicate themselves to taking action and bettering their communities. It’s also about inspiring, recognizing and encouraging people to seek out imaginative ways to engage in their communities — to put themselves at the center of social change.

Sponsored by Points of Light Institute and HandsOn Network—the nation’s largest volunteer network—National Volunteer Week was established in 1974 and has grown exponentially each subsequent year, with literally thousands of volunteer projects and special events scheduled throughout the week. With the second year anniversary of the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, the creation of the Volunteer Generation Fund and the resonant call to serve from the President, this year will be even more energizing and inspiring.

Throughout the week of April 10 -16 schools will celebrate their volunteers.

CINCINNATI, OH (FOX19)- A selection of trees of different sizes are available to private property owners from the City for their annual Fall Releaf Program.

Trees are free, but you are responsible to pick them up and plant them yourself. Orders are due by September 24.

Urban Forestry reviews applications and you are informed by October 8 if your site qualifies.

Pick up is on a Saturday later in October.

TO QUALIFY:

1. Property must be in the City of Cincinnati.

2. Trees must be planted within 30 ft of the right-of-way or visible from the street. Planting between the street and sidewalk and in backyards is not acceptable.

3. Plant the right tree in the right place.