Service Initiative Kicks Off With Staff Participating in "A Celebration of Sorts"

(SAINT PAUL, Minn.) - The 2008 Republican National Convention today launched the American Neighbor volunteer program, a service initiative aimed at giving back to the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area and inspiring Republicans across the nation to take action in their own communities. As part of the American Neighbor program, convention staff today completed a service project in Edina and will continue to participate in volunteer projects throughout the next year.

"Minneapolis-Saint Paul is a vibrant, welcoming, and caring community. The spirit here is contagious - and we want to give something back," said convention President and Chief Executive Officer Maria Cino. "The thought behind the American Neighbor program is to make people realize that, 'Yes, I can help my neighbor. I can make a difference in my community.'"

Staff volunteered with Greater Twin Cities United Way and Arc Greater Twin Cities and worked at the fourth annual "A Celebration of Sorts" event. Proceeds from the festivities will help fund programs and services that benefit people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families through Arc Greater Twin Cities. For more information on the event, please visit www.unitedwaytwincities.org or www.celebrationofsorts.org.

"We are very happy that representatives from the 2008 Republican National Convention chose 'A Celebration of Sorts' as their volunteer effort," said Public Relations Manager for Greater Twin Cities United Way Marsha Pitts-Phillips. "This is a wonderful way for the RNC committee to become a part of the fabric of the Twin Cities; by getting involved in the state's great tradition of volunteering."

Forbes magazine recently ranked Minneapolis-Saint Paul America's top metro area for volunteering. With more than 40 percent of the population volunteering each year, Minneapolis-Saint Paul has the most active community of volunteers in the nation. Joining their ranks, convention staff members will continue to work with various service organizations throughout the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area.

Historically, convention staff has organized a community service initiative in the host city that encourages Republicans from across the country to volunteer in their home communities.

To that end, over the next eleven months, the 2008 Republican National Convention will be encouraging delegates, alternate delegates, elected officials and guests to participate in community service projects in their home states through the American Neighbor volunteer initiative. It will be possible for participants to nominate one another for the convention's "Great American Neighbor Awards." Details on the submission process will be released in the coming weeks, and the hope is to recognize outstanding volunteers at the 2008 Republican National Convention.

The 2008 Republican National Convention will be held at Saint Paul's Xcel Energy Center from September 1-4, 2008. Approximately 45,000 delegates, alternate delegates, members of the media and other guests are expected to attend the convention. Minneapolis-Saint Paul is expected to receive an estimated $150-$160 million positive economic boost from the four-day event. For more information about the 2008 Republican National Convention, please visit our website at www.GOPConvention2008.com.