Idaho lawmakers unanimously designated 2026 as a statewide year of volunteerism on Thursday, challenging residents to complete 250,000 acts of service by July 4 in honor of America’s 250th anniversary.

Sponsored by Rep. Brandon Mitchell, R-Moscow, and Sen. Ben Adams, R-Nampa, the resolution invites Idahoans of all ages to participate in community service projects with the goal of fostering hope and kindness across the state, according to a Jan. 20 news release from the Idaho State Treasurer’s Office.

“This is about more than just a milestone on a calendar; it’s about the spirit of our people,” State Treasurer Julie Ellsworth, who serves as co-chair of the State Service Committee leading the initiative, said in the news release. “By dedicating 2026 as the Year of Volunteerism, we are inviting every generation — from students in our classrooms to seniors in our communities — to join hands in a shared endeavor of hope and kindness.”

The America250 in Idaho Service Challenge is supported by a coalition of 45 statewide organizations and led by co-chairs Ellsworth and Jessica Cooper Whiting, according to the treasurer’s office. The initiative comes as part of nationwide America250 celebrations marking the country’s semiquincentennial, though Idaho’s approach emphasizes grassroots volunteer work over traditional festivities.

One of the first service opportunities occurred after the resolution passed Thursday in a JustServe.org-sponsored project that brought people together to assemble hygiene kits for schools across Idaho, according to a Jan. 26 news release from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

“Think about the opportunity to relieve just a little bit of stress for a family,” Megan Remaley, president and CEO of United Way of Treasure Valley, said in the church’s news release. “This is one less thing that they have to think about in their budget.”

Boise high school student Mackenzie King, who participated in Thursday’s project, said volunteering provides personal fulfillment during stressful times.

“When I’m serving, I feel my happiest,” King said in the church news release. “Whenever I’m feeling stressed out, if I just go out and serve someone, it really makes tme feel 10 times better.”

Executive Director of Catholic Charities of Idaho Eddie Trask called the resolution “a dream” and connected service to American values of freedom and independence.

“If you don’t take the freedom that you have been given and use it for good in helping neighbors, then what good is the freedom if it’s only used on yourself?” Trask said in the news release. “(Service will expand our) hearts, and the recipient of course gets to see that someone cares about and someone sees them at a time where a lot of people feel completely unseen, completely uncared for.”

The statewide initiative builds on existing volunteer networks throughout Idaho. JustServe.org, a service provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serves as a central clearinghouse for volunteer opportunities and will coordinate many of the year’s service projects.

Idahoans are encouraged to report their acts of kindness at IdahoKindness.com, a central hub that will track the state’s progress in real-time as it builds toward the 250,000-act goal by Independence Day, according to the treasurer’s office.

The campaign features a unique Idaho mascot: Martha-Tot Washingtater. Inspired by Martha Washington, who dedicated herself to serving Revolutionary War soldiers, the character symbolizes Idaho’s heritage and commitment to modern-day service, the treasurer’s office said.

In Rexburg, volunteers participated in a related effort Wednesday when the church donated 40,000 pounds of food to the local Eastern Idaho Community Action Partnership food bank, according to the church’s news release. The donation is part of a national campaign to deliver food to 250 food banks across the United States, with similar distributions occurring in Arkansas, Michigan, Missouri, Oregon, Tennessee and Texas.

Eric Andreasen, a JustServe coordinator in Rexburg, said the need remains high, particularly among senior citizens without nearby family and college students at BYU-Idaho living independently for the first time.

“There are so many people that are so grateful just to be able to have anything,” said food bank representative Morgan Dortch in the news release. “We have people come in and say, ‘I have nothing at all. I just need something. I have little kids. They need to eat.’”

Andreasen added that hands-on service creates meaningful connections.

“You feel better when you get out and serve,” he said in the news release. “There’s something about having hands-on interaction with people that is just way more fulfilling than sitting and doing something disconnected.”

Whiting said the focus on service could help bridge social divisions.

“In a world where there’s a lot of anger and polarity, there’s beautiful light that comes from serving one another,” Whiting said in the news release.

Organizers encourage Idahoans seeking volunteer opportunities to visit JustServe.org, where they can find projects matching their interests and availability.

“If you are looking for purpose, go to JustServe.org. Go find a project, and you will find purpose, you will find friendships, you’ll find connection,” Whiting said.

The resolution does not allocate state funding for volunteer coordination, relying instead on existing nonprofit infrastructure and the 45-organization coalition to facilitate the 250,000 service acts throughout 2026.

For more information on the America250 in Idaho initiative and the Year of Volunteerism, visit IdahoKindness.com.