PHILADELPHIA– February 29, 2008 – To conclude the week-long
celebration of Peace Corps Week, Vinny Wickes, Regional Manager
of the Peace Corps, rang the opening bell at the Philadelphia Stock
Exchange (PHLX) on Monday, March 3 along with a group of local Philadelphia-area
Peace Corps volunteers who have served abroad with the organization.
Volunteers wore clothing representing the countries where they have
served. Peace Corps Week is being celebrated internationally from
February 25 through March 3, 2008.
As the Peace Corps gears up to celebrate its 50th anniversary in
2011, former volunteers representing 139 countries in which the
Peace Corps has served, will share their overseas experiences in
their U.S. communities during Peace Corps Week.
Peace Corps Week commemorates the March 1, 1961, signing of the
Executive Order by President John F. Kennedy that established the
Peace Corps. The week of events helps to raise awareness of the
Peace Corps as a resource for educators and individuals in the U.S.
who want to use cross-cultural stories in the classroom and make
contributions to Peace Corps projects overseas.
In the evening, the United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania will
be hosting an informational program for prospective Peace Corps
volunteers, including people ages 50 and older, from 6:00 to 7:30
p.m. at their headquarters located at 7 Benjamin Franklyn Parkway,
between 17th and 18th Streets. Peace Corps recruiters and former
Peace Corps volunteers of all ages will be on hand to give first
person accounts of their experiences abroad and answer questions.
About the Peace Corps
The Peace Corps is celebrating a 47-year legacy of service at home
and abroad. Currently there are 8,000 Volunteers abroad, a 37-year
high for Volunteers in the field. Since 1961, more than 190,000
volunteers have helped promote a better understanding between Americans
and the people of the 139 countries where volunteers have served.
Peace Corps Volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years
of age. Peace Corps service is a 27-month commitment. To learn more
about Peace Corps, please visit the Peace Corps Web site at www.peacecorps.gov.
About the PHLX
The Philadelphia Stock Exchange was founded in 1790. The PHLX
trades more than 7,000 stocks, 2,639 equity options, 17 sectors
index options, options on all major currencies, and futures through
its subsidiary, The Philadelphia Board of Trade (PBOT). For more
information about the PHLX and its products, visit www.phlx.com.
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