WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Office of U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today released the December episode of Senator King’s “Inside Maine” podcast – a special Christmas edition that features a timely discussion about community service, volunteerism, and how Maine people can give back to their communities this holiday season. Senator King was joined by U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-Louis.), and Kelsey Preecs, the Program Officer for Volunteer Maine, Maine’s state service commission. During the conversation, Senator King and his guests highlight how volunteerism has helped get Maine communities through the COVID-19 pandemic, and the role Congress can play to promote more community service across the country.

“Throughout the pandemic, Maine’s community service workers and volunteers have stepped up to provide essential support to their neighbors in need,” said Senator King. “In the face of overwhelming obstacles, these leaders have responded with energy, joy, and compassion – bringing light in a dark moment to struggling communities. Their work has been essential to Maine people, and during this holiday season, I hope everyone will continue to build on this work by finding a local volunteer opportunity near them. Each of us can do something to make someone’s day a little brighter. It was a pleasure to learn more about these volunteer opportunities, and what Congress is considering to expand them with Senator Cassidy and Ms. Preecs, and I look forward to their continued excellent work to promote community service.”

Dr. Bill Cassidy is a United States Senator for Louisiana, Bill grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and attended Louisiana State University (LSU) for undergraduate and medical school. In 1990, Bill joined LSU Medical School teaching medical students and residents at Earl K. Long Hospital, a hospital for the uninsured. During this time, he co-founded the Greater Baton Rouge Community Clinic, a clinic providing free dental and health care to the working uninsured. Bill also created a private-public partnership to vaccinate 36,000 greater Baton Rouge area children against Hepatitis B at no cost to the schools or parents. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Bill led a group of health care volunteers to convert an abandoned K-Mart building into an emergency health care facility, providing basic health care to hurricane evacuees.

Kelsey Preecs is the Program Officer for Volunteer Maine, Maine’s state service commission. In her role, Kelsey manages the volunteer programs in Maine and offers training, professional development, and other resources to agency staff who work with volunteers. Volunteer Maine, Maine government’s partner for the federal Corporation for National Service (AmeriCorps), is dedicated to building Maine communities’ capacity and sustainability for community service and volunteerism.

Senator King has long been an outspoken advocate for the importance of community service, and the need to promote community service opportunities across the country – especially AmeriCorps. He recently cosponsored the Pandemic Response and Opportunity Through National Service Act, which would fund 750,000 national service positions over a three-year response and recovery period, to meet the projected need for as many as 300,000 public health workers. Under the bill, the number of AmeriCorps and national service positions could expand from 75,000 to 150,000 the first year and double to 300,000 in years two and three. He also cosponsored the Cultivating Opportunity and Recovery from the Pandemic through Service (CORPS) Act, similar legislation that would expand national service programs significantly to help the country recover and rebuild from the COVID-19 public health emergency. 

The “Inside Maine Podcast with Senator Angus King” is a 30-minute program that aims to help keep Maine people informed about issues of the day, how they affect life in the state, and how they factor into Senator King’s work as one of two independents in the U.S. Senate. Senator King’s podcast builds on his existing radio show that airs on Newsradio WGAN in Portland, Maine between 10 and 11 a.m. typically on last Saturday of the month.

To listen to the December edition of Senator King’s podcast click HERE.