Press Release: National Peace Corps Association Preps for National Advocacy and Service Days

Washington, DC — September 16th, 2011 — More than 1,000 people around the country have signed up for September events

Next week, the National Peace Corps Association (NPCA), the nation’s leading 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization supporting Returned Peace Corps Volunteers and the Peace Corps community, will host more than 1,300 Peace Corps community members from around the country for three days of advocacy and service in Washington, D.C.

“Returned Peace Corps Volunteers are an energetic and motivated bunch,” said Kevin F. F. Quigley, president of the National Peace Corps Association. “They couldn’t just come to Washington for a reunion without also getting politically engaged and lending a hand to some worthy charities–that’s why they joined the Peace Corps in the first place.”

As part of the 50th anniversary celebrations for the Peace Corps, NPCA will hold an orientation on Wednesday, Sept. 21, to coach supporters on how to tell their Peace Corps stories effectively and drive home the message that the Peace Corps is a program that delivers benefits not only around the world but also in the U.S. On Thursday, Sept. 22, for NPCA’s Advocacy Day, Volunteers will attend a morning kick-off event featuring Returned Peace Corps Volunteer members of Congress: Rep. Sam Farr (served in Colombia), Rep. Tom Petri (served in Somalia), and Rep. John Garamendi (served in Ethiopia). They will then meet directly with their Congressional representatives in small groups. This day marks 50 years to the day that Congress authorized the agency by passing the Peace Corps Act. And on Friday, Sept. 23, for NPCA’s Service Day, Volunteers will assist more than 25 nonprofit and private charities around the Washington area.

An annual tradition for NPCA, the advocacy and service days will be particularly memorable this year because it is the 50th anniversary of the creation of the Peace Corps. A separate gala will be hosted by NPCA on Saturday, Sept. 24, to commemorate the anniversary.

“In past years, Peace Corps supporters have met with their members of Congress to talk about the program’s importance and discuss such hot-button issues as the annual appropriations budget,” added Quigley. “This year, we’ll be taking the longer view and talking about how Congress can help put the Peace Corps on a solid footing for the next 50 years as well.”

To learn more about NPCA’s advocacy and service days, go online to: http://www.peacecorpsconnect.org/resources/peace-corps-50th-anniversary/september-events

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About the National Peace Corps Association (NPCA)

Founded in 1979 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., the National Peace Corps Association (NPCA) is the nation’s leading 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization connecting and championing Returned Peace Corps Volunteers and the Peace Corps community. It provides service and education opportunities that build on the Peace Corps experience, and is also the longest-standing advocate for an independent and robust Peace Corps. To learn more, visit: www.peacecorpsconnect.org

Media contact:
Erica Burman
Director of Communications
Phone: 202-293-7728

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