WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama and former President Bill Clinton on Friday highlighted the benefits of volunteering as they celebrated the 20th anniversary of the AmeriCorps national service program and welcomed the newest class of volunteers.

“For those of you who know my story starting off as a community organizer, I would not be standing here if it were not for service to others, and the purpose that service gave my own life,” Obama said during a ceremony under sunny skies on the White House South Lawn. Hundreds of T-shirt clad volunteers had just raised their right hands and pledged to “get things done for America” during their year of service around the country.