Michelle Obama calls on Americans to join in a summer of service, refurbishes Calif playground

In SF, Michelle Obama calls on Americans to serve

SAN FRANCISCO — First lady Michelle Obama wants Americans to make this a summer of community service.

Obama is scheduled to put the idea into action Monday, joining California first lady Maria Shriver and local volunteers in refurbishing the playground at Bret Harte Elementary School in San Francisco.

Later in the day, she plans to give the keynote address to the 2009 National Conference on Volunteering and Service meeting, also in San Francisco. California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger also will be speaking.

President Barack Obama is urging people to help in the nation’s recovery by volunteering, everything from picking up trash to tutoring.

Michelle Obama’s appearance launches United We Serve, a campaign led by the government-run Corporation for National and Community Service.