Washington, D.C., May 28, 1998—To celebrate Older Americans\' Month and to recognize the talent and energy that older Americans bring to Peace Corps service, Peace Corps Director Mark Gearan has proclaimed tomorrow (Friday) as "Senior Volunteer Appreciation Day." On that day, which would have been the 81st birthday of President Kennedy, the Peace Corps will host a forum on senior citizens and their Peace Corps service. Mr. James E. "Chip" Carter, III, grandson of Miss Lillian Carter, one of the best known senior Peace Corps volunteers, will participate.
WHO: Peace Corps Director Mark Gearan, Chip Carter, AARP representative (and former Peace Corps volunteer in Ecuador) Lee Norrgard, former senior volunteers Dot Kelly of Alexandria, Va., (Sierra Leone 1989-91) Linda Robinson of Baltimore (Senegal 1995-97) and Jay Jones of Little Rock, Ark., who is currently serving in Jamaica.
WHAT: Participate in a panel discussion on senior Peace Corps volunteers
WHEN: 10 a.m., Friday, May 29, 1998
WHERE: Peace Corps Headquarters, 7th Floor, 1990 K Street, NW, Washington, D.C.
In the past 37 years, the number of senior citizens serving in the Peace Corps has more than tripled to nearly 7 percent today. Many of these volunteers answered President Kennedy\'s call to serve after their careers and children, while some saw their children and grandchildren have such remarkable experiences as Peace Corps volunteers that they wanted to try it, too. Today, about 6,500 Peace Corps volunteers are working in 83 countries to help fight hunger, bring clean water to communities, teach children, protect the environment, start new businesses, and prevent the spread of AIDS. Since 1961, more than 150,000 Americans have joined the Peace Corps.
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