AMERICA'S MOST COLLECTED LIVING ARTIST AUCTIONS ART TO BENEFIT VOLUNTEER CENTERS ENGAGED IN HURRICANE RELIEF EFFORTS

Orlando, FL (Oct. 12, 2004) – Thomas Kinkade, known as the “Painter of Light ™ ”, will be in Orlando on Friday, October 15, 2004, raising money to support local Volunteer Centers involved in hurricane relief efforts. The event will take place at Disney's Grand Floridian Hotel at 6:00 p.m.

All of the proceeds from the auction of a limited edition canvas by Kinkade will be donated to the Points of Light Foundation member Volunteer Centers in Florida that were instrumental in hurricane response and recovery efforts. Robert K. Goodwin, President and CEO of the Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network, will be present to accept the generous donation in support of the Volunteer Centers where resources have been stretched to capacity aiding hurricane relief.

“The work of Volunteer Centers in disaster response and recovery is vital,” said Goodwin. “In Florida there has been an overwhelming outpouring of support by concerned citizens; some volunteers are affiliated with disaster response agencies, while many are unaffiliated but possess helpful skills to meet the needs of disaster victims. Volunteer Centers are equipped to register, place and match these unaffiliated volunteers so their efforts are best utilized.”

As of last Thursday, more than 88,000 affiliated and unaffiliated people have donated two million volunteer hours to aid this hurricane season's victims in Florida. Their efforts have saved local and state agencies more than $33.8 million.

The Points of Light Foundation member Volunteer Centers in Florida were involved in helping their communities prepare for the hurricanes, and several have been instrumental in recovery efforts. More than half of these Volunteer Centers also worked with various local partners to operate Volunteer Reception Centers (VRCs) to manage unaffiliated volunteers and coordinate with community agencies to meet local needs.

Nationwide, the involvement of Volunteer Centers in disaster response and recovery efforts is increasing. The most recent Volunteer Center National Survey indicates that over 78% of the Volunteer Centers (281 communities) were involved in disaster management in some form, 37% served as the official liaison in time of disaster in their community, 34% were responsible for managing unaffiliated volunteers and 33% were active in their community response and preparedness. The Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network is committed to supporting the collective work of more than 360 Points of Light member Volunteer Centers in cities across the United States.

“Our vision for the future includes an expansion and upgrade of 1-800-VOLUNTEER.org, an online resource that supports Disaster Response situations and assists Volunteer Centers with recruiting, referrals, record of service, recognition, and reporting functions, so they can systematically manage and improve the quality of volunteering in their areas ,” said Goodwin. “It is our hope that during the next hurricane season 1-800-VOLUNTEER.org will enhance Florida Volunteer Centers' ability to engage more unaffiliated volunteers, more effectively. With the generous support of individuals like Thomas Kinkade, our vision will become reality.”

Kinkade is on tour visiting Thomas Kinkade Signature Galleries and collectors throughout the country in celebration of his twentieth year as a published artist. Tickets to the 20 Years of Light Thomas Kinkade appearance in Orlando are available through the Thomas Kinkade Signature Gallery at the Florida Mall in Orlando, phone (407) 851-6090.

Thomas Kinkade has helped raise millions of dollars for charities around the world such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation, World Vision, the Salvation Army, and Art for Children Charities.

The 18 Points of Light Member Volunteer Centers in Florida are: United Way of Palm Beach County Volunteer Center, Boynton Beach; Volunteer Services of Manatee County, Inc., Bradenton; Volunteer Center of United Way – Volusia-Flagler, Daytona Beach; Nassau County Volunteer Center, Inc., Fernandina Beach; Volunteer Broward, Fort Lauderdale; Friendship Volunteer Resource Center/Volunteer Center of Lee County, Fort Myers; The Volunteer Center of Alachua County, Gainesville; Volunteer Jacksonville, Inc., Jacksonville; Seminole County Volunteer Program, Inc., Lake Mary; 211 Tampa Bay Cares Inc., Largo; Nature Coast Volunteer Center, Lecanto; Hands on Miami, Miami; United Way of Marion County, Volunteer Network, Ocala; Heart of Florida United Way's Volunteer Central Florida, Orlando; Volunteer & Community Resource Center, Stuart; VolunteerLEON: The Leon County Volunteer Center, Tallahassee; United Way of Tampa Bay's Volunteer Services, Tampa; and, Volunteer Connections of Sarasota County, Inc., Venice.

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The Points of Light Foundation, in conjunction with the Volunteer Center National Network, supports the vital work of millions of volunteers, who are helping to solve serious social problems in thousands of communities nationwide. For more information about local volunteer activities, call or visit 1-800-VOLUNTEER.org.

The Thomas Kinkade Company, formerly known as Media Arts Group, Inc., publishes the work of Thomas Kinkade and distributes his art and related collectibles through independently owned galleries worldwide, an extensive network of branded and licensed dealers; and strategic marketing relationships with such companies as Avon Products, Inc., QVC Inc. and more than 60 licensees. The company's primary products are canvas and paper reproductions that feature Mr. Kinkade's artistic unique use of light and his peaceful and inspiring themes. Mr. Kinkade, known as the “Painter of Light ™”, is the most successful and most collected living artist in U.S. history. For more information, please visit the company's web site at www.thomaskinkade.com.