FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday, March 27, 2003

Donations to the Peace Corps On The Rise

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 27, 2003 – In FY 2002, Peace Corps’ Office of Private Sector Initiatives (OPSI) reported a 35 percent increase in donations for Partnership Projects, totaling $541,777. An additional $300,000 was received from AOL Time Warner for the Peace Pack Project which provides basic information technology resources such as computers, software, printers, Internet connectivity, and various peripherals including digital cameras, scanners, and PDAs. Peace Packs are used to support a variety of community-based projects developed by Peace Corps volunteers.

Projects funded by Peace Corps’ Partnership Program in FY 2002 took place in all three Peace Corps regions (Africa, Inter-America & the Pacific, and Europe, the Mediterranean, and Asia) in the areas of education, community development, environment, health, water & sanitation, energy, agriculture, information communications technology, and income generation.

Donations for FY 2002 came from corporations, small businesses, faith-based groups, schools, foundations, returned Peace Corps volunteer groups, civic groups, family and friends of Peace Corps volunteers, and individuals that believe in the mission of the Peace Corps. The donations were either provided for specific volunteer projects or divided among four special OPSI funds. These are the Global Fund, the Information Technology Fund, the HIV/AIDS Prevention and Education Fund, and the Loret Miller Ruppe Fund for the Advancement of Women. Loret Miller Ruppe was the longest-serving director of the Peace Corps from 1981-1989.

FY 2003 is already off to a good start as $112,368 in donations was received in the month of January alone. If you are interested in donating, a list of Peace Corps projects in need of funding can be found on the Peace Corps Web site at www.peacecorps.gov/contribute/. The Office of Private Sector Initiatives may also be reached toll-free at 1.800.424.8580, ext. 2170, or via e-mail at [email protected].

Since 1961, more than 168,000 volunteers have served in the Peace Corps, working in such diverse fields as education, health, HIV/AIDS awareness and education, information technology, business development, the environment, and agriculture. Peace Corps volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age. Peace Corps service is a two-year commitment.

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