“We Are Family” Associates Promote Disaster Relief Efforts

By Joe Theissen

In 2006, Oxfam America estimated that 750,000 households remained displaced by the 2005 hurricanes. A year later, many of those affected by the storms still need services such as counseling, health care and mentoring. This alarming statistic also highlights the necessity for increased support in disaster preparedness and relief, as well as for services that strengthen the nation’s families and contribute to their economic and social empowerment.

In response, the Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network and more than 40 affinity partners released a remake of the 1970s smash hit We Are Family to benefit disaster relief and family strengthening efforts across the United States. The all-star remake of We Are Family features artists such as Patti LaBelle, Ciara, Chris Brown, Lyfe Jennings and many others.

Affinity partners of the We Are Family Initiative include the National Urban League, the Golden Key International Honour Society, the National Association of Former Foster Care Children of America, the National Center for Family Literacy, AmeriCorps Alums, Family Promise, the United Negro College Fund-Special Programs, Volunteer Florida and the Florida Association of Volunteer Centers, Operation Hope, HOPE worldwide, the Full Gospel Baptist Fellowship (Bishop Paul Morton) and the National Youth Leadership Council.

We Are Family partners are using various methods to communicate their support and to encourage sales. Some, like the Golden Key International Honour Society and Volunteer Florida, are marketing heavily through the Web. Others, like the National Center for Family Literacy, have used national meetings and training conferences to advertise their involvement in We Are Family and to sell the CD to their supporters.

The We Are Family CD features nine additional tracks contributed by artists including Martha Munizzi and BeBe Winans. The We Are Family package includes a poster designed by Thomas Kinkade and a “behind the scenes” DVD that features exclusive artist interviews and cameos by Serena Williams and Alfre Woodard. To learn more, visit Wearefamily2007.com.