Economy Inspires More to Do Community Service in U.S.

At the Peace Corps, whose volunteers work overseas, applications are up 16% over last year. The recession has offered a selling point for recruiters: Serving "strengthens a resume," says spokeswoman Laura Lartigue.

In Congress, a Senate committee will hold a hearing Tuesday on the Serve America Act, sponsored by Sens. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., and Orrin Hatch, R-Utah.