Points of Light

Building Stronger Families, Building Stronger Communities

November 15, 2007

ATLANTA, GA – November 14, 2007 – Throughout the country, families will join together to serve their communities by volunteering in celebration of Family Volunteer Day, an initiative of Points of Light & Hands On Network. The day is about fostering caring values and providing engagement opportunities that enable families to become contributors, problem solvers, and partners in building cohesive communities.

Family Volunteer Day, sponsored by The Walt Disney Company features their own Disney

Pixar super hero family, “The Incredibles,” to encourage families everywhere to volunteer in their local community. Some of the activities “incredible” families will take part in across the country include:

The Lewczyk Family> from Suffolk, VA will begin the day by taking breakfast to a senior citizen, cleaning up a local park, and ending the day by helping a chronically ill woman with repairs on her home.

The Albion Volunteer Service Organization in Albion, MI, will volunteer “family to family” by using the day to build a house with Habitat for Humanity.

Take Pride in America is hosting a cleanup at the Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve along the banks of Potomac River in the Washington, DC area.

Hands On Nashville is organizing a Kids Care Club (www.kidscare.org) volunteer event to bring together 3 generations – Kids Care Club members, their parents, and seniors. Arts-and-craft stations will be set up where families can work with seniors to create gifts for them.

The Round Rock Volunteer Center in Round Rock, TX, with the help of the Mayor will lead volunteers in repainting an Adult Day Health Center, beautifying the children’s playground area at a local Head Start Center and making holiday wreaths for distribution with food baskets.

Disney VoluntEARS (employee volunteers) will take part in projects around the world in honor of Family Volunteer Day. In Orange County, California over 800 volunteers will join forces to support the Community Action Partnership of Orange County by packing over 19,000 boxes of food for low income seniors.

“Through our involvement with Points of Light & Hands On Network, we have seen that there is virtually no limit to the positive impact young people can have in their communities,” said Jeff Hoffman, Vice President, Disney Worldwide Outreach. “Working with parents, teachers and others in communities to provide children with volunteer opportunities is the best foundation to help develop and communicate the importance of giving back. It is hoped, that participation in outreach efforts through Family Volunteer Day, will pose a lasting influence on families in shaping a lifelong value of service.”

Research also indicates strong connections between those who engage in volunteering at a young age and those who continue to serve throughout their lives. Other research shows:

Children who are taught the values of caring for others are less likely to be involved in negative behavior (Phalen, 2003)

Childhood experiences have a valuable shaping force on a lifelong sense of purpose (Lewis, 2003)

The growing trend of children serving as volunteers contributes to creating “volunteering as a norm” for both children and adults (Benson & Roehlkepartain, 1993)

“Volunteering as a family is a great way to spend valuable time together, underscored by the ideals of a life committed to serving others,” said Michelle Nun, CEO of Points of Light & Hands On Network. “I’m grateful to my parents for introducing me to a lifestyle of service at a young age, not only through their example, but through our actual involvement in volunteering. It’s a legacy I know my children continue to enjoy today.”

For more information on Family Volunteer Day, and to find out ways to volunteer with your family throughout the year visit www.FamilyVolunteerDay.org

About Points of Light & Hands On Network

Points of Light & Hands On Network inspires and mobilizes people to become engaged, take action and solve community problems. The organization supports a robust network of 370 affiliates, covering 83% of the US market, with twelve international locations. Collectively, they mobilize millions of volunteers who partner with thousands of nonprofits, schools and community organizations every year. By cultivating a dynamic network of linked civic hubs, corporate partners, nonprofits, and citizen leaders who engage volunteers in meaningful community change, they are building a change movement – achieving scale and impact by inspiring a culture of service and offering practical tools, new ideas and innovation to the civic space.

For more information, visit www.HandsOnNetwork.org or www.PointsOfLight.org

About Disney Worldwide Outreach

Disney brightens the lives of children in need around the world through global outreach programs, local community initiatives and the Disney VoluntEARS program. Last year, Disney donated $177 million in cash and in-kind support to various charities around the world. Disney VoluntEARS contributed 466,000 hours of service and the Company drew upon its unique magic to make wishes come true for children and families. The Disney VoluntEARS program provides opportunities for Disney employees to contribute their time and expertise towards making a positive impact in the communities they serve while furthering the traditions and ideals of The Walt Disney Company. For more information on Disney’s outreach efforts, please visit www.disneyoutreach.com