Volunteer Centers Receive $500,000 to Help Mobilize Volunteers for Relief Efforts
Donation from Disney Makes Possible the Points of Light Disaster Recovery Fund for Volunteer Centers Affected by Katrina
WASHINGTON, DC (September 2, 2005) - The Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network will receive a $500,000 grant from The Walt Disney Company to aid Volunteer Center efforts in the recovery from Hurricane Katrina. The grant from Disney is part of their overall corporate contribution of $2.5 million to the hurricane relief and rebuilding efforts and provides the initial seed money for Points of Light Disaster Recovery Fund, which is targeted to grow to $2 million. Monies from the Disaster Recovery Fund will be available to aid Volunteer Centers in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and neighboring states supporting this effort. Experience from recent hurricane recovery efforts in states such as Florida illustrate the vital role Volunteer Centers play in helping communities respond to and recover from such disasters.
"We are so pleased that The Walt Disney Company recognizes the role Volunteer Centers play in time of disaster. These badly needed funds will be used to both help get the damaged Centers back up and running and to help Volunteer Centers adjacent to the affected areas best assist relief and sheltering operations, and the Foundation is challenging others to match Disney's generous commitment to this effort," said Robert Goodwin, President and CEO of the Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network.
Volunteers, many of whom are not trained to assist in disasters, play an important role after the first responders address immediate needs. With a recovery period lasting months and even years, volunteers will play a critical role in providing food, water, medical care, shelter and meeting the basic needs of those who are suffering. From operating Volunteer Mobilization Centers in areas hit by disaster and mobilizing unaffiliated volunteers to leading and supporting longer term volunteer based disaster recovery efforts, Volunteer Centers are a key element in helping communities recover and rebuild.
The Disaster Recovery Fund will support activities in two specific categories:
- Disaster recovery efforts: Undertaking and/or supporting community disaster recovery efforts.
- Short-term staffing needs: Acquiring experienced staff and volunteers from other Volunteer Centers to assist in disaster relief and recovery efforts, coordinated through the Points of Light Foundation.
The Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network is a knowledge leader in the area of volunteer management. Since its inception in 1990, the Foundation has been involved in supporting Volunteer Centers and communities throughout the nation in disaster relief efforts. The more than 370 Volunteer Centers comprise the largest national infrastructure dedicated to volunteering and volunteer efforts, connecting 2.5 million people with more than a half million volunteer opportunities annually.
About the Points of Light Foundation
The Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network engages and mobilizes millions of volunteers who help solve serious social problems in thousands of communities. Through a variety of programs and services, the Foundation encourages people from all walks of life — businesses, faith-based organizations, low-income communities, families, youth, and older adults — to volunteer. For more information call 202-729-8000 or visit www.PointsofLight.org.
To volunteer, call or visit www.1-800-Volunteer.org.
About Disney Outreach
Disney is dedicated to making the wishes of families and children a reality through public service initiatives, community outreach and volunteerism in the areas of compassion, learning, the arts and the environment. In 2004, DisneyHand contributed more than $165 million in cash, in-kind support and public service airtime globally, while Disney VoluntEARS contributed more than 461,000 hours to 1,852 outreach projects. For more information, please visit www.disneyhand.com.
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