West Seneca AmeriCorps member, Patti Jo Jarnot, will be sharing a tangible message of hope in the form of Blue Tarp Triangles on Saturday, March 11, 2006 at the Hands On Network 2006 Leadership Conference in Boston Mass. Starting at 7 p.m., Ms. Jarnot will speak about her experience serving in the Gulf as an AmeriCorps member to an audience of over 1,000 service leaders and volunteers from around the world. The Blue Tarp Triangles will be passed out as part of the campaign Ms. Jarnot has developed to honor and remember victims of Hurricane Katrina and all those who have served in the Gulf Coast reconstruction efforts.

Each of the three points of the Blue Tarp Triangles represents a different aspect of national service in the Gulf. The first point represents the significance of the blue tarp itself, which volunteers affix to hurricane-damaged homes, providing shelter and protection for families. The second point represents the collaboration of groups like AmeriCorps and the Red Cross that are working together to care for victims and rebuild after the disaster. The third and final point of the triangle signifies a “Ribbon of Hope,” which can be worn in remembrance of the greatest humanitarian need in our nation since the Great Depression and the efforts being taken to overcome it. Mirroring the blue sky, the blue colored tarp symbolizes the limitless possibilities and accomplishments that can be achieved through service.

Ms. Jarnot, who served in the Gulf with West Seneca AmeriCorps in November, is representing AmeriCorps members and Alumni in the Hands On Network. This Network connects over one million volunteers and 55 national and international volunteer organizations that strengthen and change communities both inside and outside the United States. Call Mark Lazarra at 716-913-7575 for more details.

The mission of West Seneca AmeriCorps is to provide opportunities for Americans of all ages to help improve the nation through service to communities, making our environment cleaner, our children healthier, our schools better and our streets safer. A special emphasis of AmeriCorps is on the critical problems of children and youth and the need for all young people to serve, not just be served.

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