FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tuesday, December 22, 1998

Blockbuster Video Stores to Offer New Peace Corps Recruitment Film For Rental

Washington, D.C., December 22, 1998—The Peace Corps has secured an arrangement with Blockbuster to place a new recruitment film in all of its 4,400 video stores across the country, Peace Corps Director Mark Gearan announced today. "There is a growing awareness about the enormous contributions that Peace Corps volunteers make overseas, as well as in their communities when they return home," Gearan said. "With the support of Blockbuster, more Americans can learn about the opportunities to make a difference around the world through the Peace Corps." The new 15-minute Peace Corps film, titled, "How Far Are You Willing To Go To Make a Difference?" was delivered to Blockbuster\'s headquarters in Dallas this month, and is now available in Blockbuster stores across the country. It features volunteers serving in South Africa, Ecuador, Mongolia, and Uzbekistan, and can be rented free of charge in Blockbuster stores throughout the country starting in mid-December. The arrangement with Blockbuster is part of the Peace Corps\' continuing efforts to get the word out about how more Americans can serve as volunteers. The Peace Corps has revitalized its image with its youth-oriented video, a new 52-page recruitment catalog, and a redesigned Web site. Interest in the Peace Corps has increased 50 percent since 1994, with 150,000 people inquiring last year alone about serving in the Peace Corps. Currently, nearly 6,700 Peace Corps volunteers are working in 80 countries in education, the environment, health and nutrition, business advising, and community development. Peace Corps volunteers began serving in Mozambique and Bangladesh for the first time in October. Since 1961, more than 150,000 Americans have joined the Peace Corps.

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