Generous Americans

By Dr. Marciene Mattleman

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Opening the newspaper every day, watching TV, and surfing the web, your computer are met with all kinds of unhappy stories. So it's always fun to check the generosity in Americans and feel better about our society.

In 2014, more than $358 billion was contributed to different causes. In the 60 years of record keeping, that's the highest total. It's been suggested by the media that more organizations are advertising.

Education received $54.4 billion and religious $114 billion. Health, human services, the arts and culture were also important to givers, yet the number of causes responding to causes was lower.

This past year 62.8 million people volunteered -- more women than men. They group 35-44 was most active, more working than unemployed and spent a median of 58 hours during the year. More were married.

College educated people were most likely to volunteer and usually were involved in more than one organization -- often tutoring or teaching.

Get more information from the Internet and feel better about our friends and neighbors.