When the national service program AmeriCorps was established in 1993, it had its share of harsh critics.

There were those who felt it was simply a feel-good move by the Clinton administration.

Many complained that it was not true volunteerism because participants were offered stipends and, after they completed their assignments, they received money toward college tuition.

Sixteen years later, AmeriCorps is regarded as a huge success and is heralded by many nonprofit, city and state agencies as a crucial supplement to their usually underfunded and understaffed programs.

Since the establishment of AmeriCorps, more than a half-million people — many between ages 18 and 24, as well as a growing number of senior citizens — have volunteered to serve their country in a range of efforts.

Among other things, they're helping children and youths achieve educational success; assisting in area health-care initiatives; working to clean up the environment; aiding veterans, active-duty members of the armed forces and their families; and building housing.

And there is a huge multiplying effect with all of this volunteer effort.

In working with more than 4,100 nonprofit, faith-based and community groups last year, AmeriCorps members "mobilized or managed 2.2 million volunteers for the organizations they serve," according to the agency that administers the program, the Corporation for National and Community Service.

This year, the number of AmeriCorps applicants more than doubled, up from 91,000 in 2008 to 233,000. That was partly in reaction to President Barack Obama's call to service to young people and partly a result of the struggling economy.

While there were those who signed up because they could not find a job, countless others joined out of a sense of duty to community and country.

When it comes to volunteering, no country surpasses the United States in the number of people or number of hours devoted to community service.

The national service program has provided an infusion of thousands of intelligent, talented young and older people who are making an incredible difference in struggling organizations and agencies throughout the country.

A happy byproduct of this wave of young people volunteering is that the experience can lead to a lifelong habit of working on behalf of the community.

With the passage of the Serve America Act this year, authorizing $6 billion for expansion of public service projects, officials say AmeriCorps could add 250,000 jobs over five years.

Congress has recognized the organization's value and in December increased the 2010 budget to the highest level in the history of the corporation.

All service to this country should be appreciated, whether it is youngsters tutoring peers in junior high school or servicemen and women fighting on foreign soil.

We pause during this season of giving to offer thanks to all those who volunteer through AmeriCorps, a program in which participants can see the effects of their work daily.

While there might still be some critics of the program, the naysayers are being steadily drowned out by the good work that is accomplished.