FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, May 14, 2003
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Corporation for National and Community Service
Contact: Siobhan Dugan
(202) 606-5000, x151
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Americorps Members Provide Disaster Relief in Response to Tornadoes and Floods |
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More than 100 members of the AmeriCorps*National Civilian Community
Corps (AmeriCorps*NCCC) and several teams from the St. Louis Safety
Corps are responding to disasters in Oklahoma, Missouri, Tennessee,
and Alabama. In addition, RSVP volunteers are serving with the American
Red Cross in Missouri and Kansas.
Dozens of people were killed in storms in the Midwest and Southern
states and property damage has been extensive. In one Missouri community,
Stockton, about 130 homes were destroyed and 60 others severely damaged.
In disaster situations, AmeriCorps members take on a variety of tasks.
Some members provide assistance to families, helping them obtain food
vouchers, clothing and medical supplies, as well as referrals to government
and non-government agencies. Others assess damages, start the clean-up
process, and begin needed repairs.
"When Americans need help following a disaster, we respond quickly,"
commented Leslie Lenkowsky, CEO of the Corporation for National and
Community Service, which oversees AmeriCorps and RSVP. "Teams of
AmeriCorps members are trained in disaster response so that they will
be ready should the need arise, and many RSVP volunteers serve in disaster
relief roles. Typically, hundreds of our members and volunteers respond
to these disasters each year. We've formed partnerships with the American
Red Cross, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and other organizations
to provide help in times of needs."
St. Louis Safety Corps teams are serving in Kansas City, Pierce City,
Stockton, and Springfield, Mo. AmeriCorps*NCCC members have been deployed
to Springfield, Mo., Birmingham, Ala., and Jackson, Tenn. Local RSVP
volunteers in Springfield, Mo., and Chanute, Kan., are serving with
the American Red Cross.
The Corporation for
National and Community Service provides opportunities for
Americans of all ages and backgrounds to serve their communities and
country through three programs: Senior Corps, including RSVP; AmeriCorps;
and Learn and Serve America. Together, the programs of the Corporation
engage more than 2 million Americans each year n meeting critical needs
in education, the environment, public safety, homeland security, and
other areas. The Corporation and its programs are part of USA Freedom
Corps, a White House initiative to foster a culture of citizenship,
service, and responsibility, and help all Americans answer the President's
Call to
Service.
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