(Washington, D.C) – Eight members of the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation will tour recovering areas of the Gulf Coast August 28-30, along with seven members of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for National and Community Service. The group will take part in events commemorating the first anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, visit hurricane recovery operations, and thank volunteers for their extraordinary contributions during the first year of relief efforts.

“Volunteers and national service participants have been key to the accomplishments made during this first year following the hurricane,” said David Eisner, CEO of the Corporation. “Members of the Board and the Council want to congratulate them on their achievements, but also encourage more Americans to participate in ongoing relief efforts.” Because of the ongoing need for volunteers in the Gulf region, the Corporation has launched a campaign, “Serve to Remember. Remember to Serve” to draw attention to the need for more volunteers to help in the long term recovery of the Gulf region.

"The progress the Gulf Coast is making in its recovery would not be possible without volunteers—neighbors helping their neighbors, and people from other parts of the country devoting time to help their fellow citizens, " said Jean Case, President’s Council Chair and CEO of the Case Foundation. "This trip gives us an opportunity to salute the passion and dedication of these volunteers, and to reiterate the continuing need for commitment and support of this region."

According to Eisner, more than 500,000 Americans have traveled to the Gulf thus far, while millions more have offered financial and other types of support. “Their efforts are much appreciated, but we cannot forget that much remains to be done,” he said.

While in New Orleans on August 29th, the Council and Board members will visit the Lower Ninth Ward, the Camp Hope Operation Center in St. Bernard Parish, the house-gutting operation of the Trinity Christian Community AmeriCorps program, and Tulane University. They will also attend a speech by President Bush on the anniversary of the hurricane, and participate in the re-opening of Mother-in-Law Lounge, a jazz landmark restored with the help of more than 250 volunteers.

Stops in Mississippi on August 30 include a playground build in Biloxi, a tour of the Pass Christian Volunteer Village, a home build with Habitat for Humanity in Bay St. Louis, and a meeting with Waveland Mayor Tommy Longo, who will discuss the destruction of his town and the recovery process. A full schedule is at the end of this release.

Members of the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation on the tour include Council Chair Case; Wendy Spencer, executive director, Volunteer Florida!; Kelly Perdew, managing director, Angel-Led Venture Partners and second season winner of the Apprentice on NBC; Danny Wuerffel, Executive Director, Desire Street Ministries and former quarterback of the New Orleans Saints; Mary Jo Myers, wife of the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Myrka Dellanos, Emmy Award winning journalist; Michelle Nunn, co-founder and CEO, Hands on Network; and Roxanne Spillett, president, Boys and Girls Clubs of America.

Members of the Board of the Corporation for National and Community Service participating in the tour are Dorothy Johnson, Ahlburg Company, former Chair, Michigan Council on Foundations; Vince J. Juaristi, Visionary Integration Professionals; William Schambra, Bradley Center for Philanthropy and Civic Renewal, The Hudson Institute; Carol Kinsley, independent consultant, Service Learning; Alan Solomont, Solomont Bailis Ventures; and Henry Lozano, Californians for a Drug Free Youth. David Eisner will accompany the group.

The 25-member President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation was given a charge by President Bush to promote an ethic of service and to recognize the millions of Americans who are giving back to their communities through generous acts of service. To date, more than 16,500 organizations are part of the Council’s network and together they have honored nearly 500,000 of America’s volunteers with the President’s Volunteer Service Award. Administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service, together with the USA Freedom Corps, the Council brings together leaders from the worlds of business, entertainment, sports, education, government, nonprofits, and the media to promote their efforts. To learn more about the Council, its members, and the President’s Volunteer Service Award Program please visit http://www.volunteer.gov/.

The Corporation for National and Community Service improves lives, strengthens communities, and fosters civic engagement through service and volunteering. Providing service opportunities for millions of Americans of all ages and backgrounds, Corporation programs include Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America. For more information, visit http://www.nationalservice.gov/.

The group’s schedule is as follows:

New Orleans, Aug. 28:

6:30 p.m.

Re-opening of Mother-in-Law Lounge a jazz landmark restored with the help of more than 250 Hands on Network volunteers; corner of North Claiborne and Columbus Streets.

Louisiana, Aug. 29:

7:30 a.m.	Tour of Lower Ninth Ward, New Orleans
8 a.m.	Camp Hope Operations Center, St. Bernard Parish 6701 E. St. Bernard Highway, Violet Camp Hope Operations Center is managed by AmeriCorps*National Civilian Community Corps (AmeriCorps*NCCC)
10:30 a.m.	Speech by President George W. Bush on the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina
11:30 a.m.	Trinity Christian Community, 8119 Panola St.—Visit house being mucked out by Trinity Christian Community AmeriCorps members, who are all local residents.
1:15 p.m.	Tulane University—Briefing by AmeriCorps*VISTA, AmeriCorps*NCCC, and Learn and Serve America members working Tulane to expand the capacity of several community non-profits that have been involved in the recovery effort.

Mississippi, Aug. 29

4:30 p.m.

Visit Hands on Network/KABOOM!/AmeriCorps*NCCC Playground Build Beck Park, 671 Division St., Biloxi

Mississippi, Aug. 30

7:45 a.m.	Pass Christian Volunteer Village - Briefing on the role of St. Louis Safety Corps AmeriCorps members in helping to restore the community.
10 a.m.	Habitat for Humanity Home Build, Union St off of Old Spanish Trail, Bay St. Louis
Noon	Tour of Waveland with Mayor Tommy Longo, who will speak on the destruction of the town and the recovery process.

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