Contact:
Fred Whiting
Points of Light Foundation
(202) 729-8177
fwhiting@pointsoflight.org

Connect America Celebrates First Decade of Progress

WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 8, 2006)—A national movement of organizations striving to bridge differences and create synergy around social issues through volunteering and community service is celebrating its first decade of progress. 

Connect America is a program of the Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network.  Connect America consists of more than 70 leading nonprofit organizations, businesses and federal agencies.  

Through the Connect America partners, the Foundation helps make a significant and positive difference in the lives of millions of Americans throughout the country.  Connect America partners not only represent diverse sectors—they also address issues such as diversity, education, family, disaster, tolerance, health and human services, poverty, community and economic development and youth. 

Connect America partners employ 28 million people, utilize 18 million volunteers and have provided services to 334 million individuals since the partnership was established in 1996.  Through collaborative activities, Connect America partners increase awareness about their innovative and groundbreaking work in local communities and in the national policy arena. 

The Shell Oil Company has sponsored Connect America since its inception and continues its support through active involvement as a member of the Connect America Partner Council.  Shell has sustained a decade of support for connecting people and resources for the common good. 

“On behalf of Connect America, we thank Shell Oil Company, our inaugural leadership corporation, for its continued sponsorship over the last decade,” said Robert Goodwin, President & CEO of the Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network, and David Chaney, Connect America Partner Council Chair and National Director for U.S. Programs for HOPE worldwide. 

“Through this sponsorship and Shell’s active involvement as a member of the Connect America Partner Council, Shell has added immeasurably to Connect America’s accomplishments and to continue the work Connect America continues to do.” 

While presenting a check in the amount of $150,000 to support Connect America’s activities over the next year, Hasting Stewart, Vice President of the Shell Oil Company Foundation, said: “It has been a great partnership over the past 10 years, and we’re proud to be associated with such a great organization.” 

The Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network engages and mobilizes millions of volunteers who are helping to solve serious social problems in thousands of communities. Through a variety of programs and services, the Foundation encourages people from all walks of life — businesses, nonprofits, faith-based organizations, low-income communities, families, youth, and older adults — to volunteer.  For more information on volunteering, go to www.PointsofLight.org. 

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Hasting Stewart, Vice President of the Shell Oil Company Foundation, presents a check in the amount of $150,000 to Robert Goodwin, President & CEO of the Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network, to support the Foundation’s Connect America program.