BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) - Birmingham's volunteer heart is beating
strong.

Area charities report no drop this year in the number of people
volunteering, and several say they're seeing significantly more
than usual.

Volunteers at Habitat for Humanity of Greater Birmingham in
October were up 56 percent from the year before. Some people are
telling agencies they have extra time to volunteer because they're
out of work.

At the Jimmie Hale Mission, which runs two homeless shelters and
a recovery center, Tony Cooper, executive director, says
participation continues to soar, though he thinks December
participation will be the real indicator.

Salvation Army of Greater Birmingham -also reports more people
who want to do drives this year to collect things like blankets,
linens and warm jackets.

Information from: The Birmingham News,
http://www.al.com/birminghamnews

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)