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AmeriCorps members board planes en route to New Jersey and New York, where they help will rebuild homes and operate volunteer centers
 Sacramento, Calif. – About 100 AmeriCorps members are boarding planes to New Jersey and New York where they will help residents affected by Hurricane Sandy rebuild homes, remove debris, and manage volunteers. Southwest Airlines’ decision to donate travel to these young leaders made this deployment possible.
“We believe in giving back and that is never more important than when tragedy strikes,” said Debra Benton, Director of Community Relations and Giving at Southwest Airlines. “Service is part of who we are at Southwest, and it comes from the heart. We applaud the work of AmeriCorps and are honored to support their mission.”
The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the federal agency that administers AmeriCorps, is coordinating its efforts with the Federal Management Agency (FEMA), National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, the American Red Cross, Points of Light, and state and local authorities. In addition, the agency is working with its state field offices and service commissions to deploy AmeriCorps and Senior Corps members. Thus far, 1,770 national service members have been deployed to states affected by Hurricane Sandy.
“Southwest Airlines stepped up in a big way as a corporate partner in national service,” said Wendy Spencer, CEO of CNCS. “I have been to the areas in New Jersey and New York where these AmeriCorps members will serve. Homeowners and community leaders become emotional as they talk about what it means to have these young leaders working alongside them to rebuild and recover. As a result of Southwest Airlines’ actions, more AmeriCorps members will make a difference in the lives of people affected by a devastating disaster.”
Andre Staley, a member of the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps, is among the 100 individuals leaving the Sacramento-based training campus for the Northeast.
“After seeing news reports of natural disasters on television, I was inspired to serve in a program that helps survivors recover and rebuild after tragedy,” said Staley.“I am proud to answer the call as a member of AmeriCorps NCCC.”
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CNCS, a federal agency, provides strong support, expertise, and trained and dedicated volunteers to help communities prepare for, mitigate, respond to, and recover from natural and man-made disasters. Reflecting the agency's growing expertise and commitment in disaster services, CNCS has made disaster services a priority in the agency's 2011-2015 strategic plan. For more information on disaster response and recovery by national service, visit the Disaster Services Unit. AmeriCorps NCCC is a full-time, residential, national service program in which 1,200 young adults between the ages of 18 to 24 serve nationwide. During their 10-month terms, members work in teams of eight to 12 on projects that address critical needs related to natural and other disasters, infrastructure improvement, environmental stewardship and conservation, energy conservation, and urban and rural development.
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