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Cecilia Snyder 202-294-8253
April Scott-Bonnick 215-742-0204

HUNDREDS GATHER TO SUPPORT INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEERING
Grassroots coalition seeks to double the number of U.S. volunteers overseas by 2010

Philadelphia, PA (July 12) – In an unprecedented show of support for international volunteering, more than 500 former volunteers and supporters will gather in Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia at 4:00 pm on Sunday, July 15 to spell out “VOLUNTEER” by forming a human chain of former volunteers. Each participant will also hold a placard featuring the country and year of their international volunteering experience.

The gathering will also serve as the launch of the Building Bridges Coalition – a grassroots coalition that seeks to double the number of U.S. volunteers overseas by 2010 – and the introduction of its Web site, www.wevolunteer.net. The coalition is a project of the Brookings Institution’s International Volunteering Project and in partnership with Idealist.org. The Building Bridges Coalition Web site features personal stories of international volunteering and information on how to volunteer internationally. Unique new functions will profile visitors and match them with the best volunteer opportunities, as well as monitor their experience in an effort to increase efficacy and impact of volunteering efforts.

Sunday’s gathering precedes the National Conference on Volunteering and Service, which will be held July 16–18 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. The theme of this year’s conference — “The Power of We” — proudly declares the power of collective action when individuals or institutions join to solve serious social problems. David Eisner, CEO of Corporation for National & Community Service (a co-host of the conference) will speak, as will Steven Culbertson, president and CEO of Youth Service America.

WHAT: Volunteers gathering to spell out “VOLUNTEER” and seek enhanced American volunteer efforts and opportunities overseas

WHEN: Sunday, July 15, 2007 from 4:00-6:00pm

WHERE: Independence National Historical Park Philadelphia

WHO: More than 500 Volunteers, David Eisner, Steven Culbertson

	News Items Pertaining To International Volunteerism Playing Our Part - WorldView Magazine Rebuilding site - BBC News ILO notes the importance of volunteerism statistics - UN Volunteers Putting the Non-profit Sector and Volunteering on the Economic Map - UN Volunteers Saluting millions of volunteers: UNV chief's speech on IVD 2006 - UN Volunteers 5 December - International Volunteer Day - World Volunteer Web America's Top Cities For Volunteers - Forbes.com Corporate Philanthropy - The Colorado Springs Business Journal Privatize Foreign Aid - The Wall Street Journal (subscribers only) The Brookings Initiative on International Volunteering and Service - The Brookings Institution The Best Diplomats: American Volunteers - The Brookings Institution

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