Citizen Corps Volunteers - Get Your Voice Heard

Secretary Napolitano Launches Public Engagement Website

Release Date: February 8, 2010
For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010

Web tool will increase transparency, collaboration as part of Open Government Initiative

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today announced the launch of a new online public engagement tool designed to solicit input from the public on ways to enhance transparency, participation, collaboration and innovation at the Department—part of President Obama's Open Government Directive.

"Creating an open, transparent, more efficient and effective government is one of our top priorities at the Department of Homeland Security," said Secretary Napolitano. "This new online tool allows the public to play a major part in our Department-wide efforts to enhance openness and accessibility."

The new online tool—available from Feb.6-March 19 at https://www.dhs.gov/open allows members of the public and interested stakeholders to submit ideas and suggestions on ways DHS can enhance transparency, participation, collaboration and innovation—while saving taxpayer money.

The ideas submitted will help guide the development of an official DHS Open Government plan.

On Dec. 8, 2009, President Obama issued the Open Government Directive to begin breaking down long-standing barriers between the federal government and the people it serves, and instructed agencies to take immediate, specific steps to open their doors and data to the American people. Agencies across the federal government will begin engaging the public through similar online tools this week.

For more information, visit www.dhs.gov/open
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Want Fireworks? Go To A Public Showing

You may remember seeing the Pepsi Commercial where Michael Jackson caught on fire, yet you still insist on doing your own fireworks display at home.

Checkout the following video. It should make you think twice.

Caution the video is not for children.



Do Not Try This At Home.

DHS Answering President Obama’s call to service

Release Date: June 19, 2009

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010

Answering President Obama’s call to service, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano will be joined by Deputy Secretary Jane Holl Lute and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate on Monday volunteering their time and efforts to promote service across the country. The President’s 81-day summer service initiative, United We Serve, challenges all citizens to get involved in their communities and start building a better future for the nation.

“Volunteerism strengthens a community’s capacity to meet challenges,” said DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano. “President Obama’s call for service—today and everyday—plays a critical role in our efforts to prepare and protect the nation.”

Secretary Napolitano will help jumpstart community readiness in Orlando, Fla., where she will work with local members of the FEMA Citizens Corps to help prepare their neighborhoods and communities for successful emergency response and recovery.

Deputy Secretary Lute will lead a citizenship class at the Northern Manhattan Coalition for Immigrant Rights (NMCIR) in New York, N.Y., where immigrants from around the world come to learn English, learn about America and prepare to become U.S. citizens.

Administrator Fugate will discuss the importance of service at a roundtable in Denver with Americans who have made President Obama’s challenge central to their daily lives, including firefighters as well as volunteers from FEMA’s Fire Corps and CERT programs—two entities that train people to assist and become first responders.

United We Serve will culminate with a National Day of Service and Remembrance on September 11, 2009. This milestone will provide an opportunity to recognize the summer’s accomplishments, honor those who died on September 11, 2001, and encourage Americans to make an ongoing commitment to service.

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It's Official!

Today, President Obama signed the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act into law.

http://www.servicenation.org/newpatriotism

Thank you to everyone that provided their support.

Did you know March is Red Cross Month?

"On February 27, 2009, President Barack Obama, Honorary Chairman of the American Red Cross, signed a Presidential Proclamation marking March 2009 as "Red Cross Month" encouraging all Americans to support this humanitarian organization."

The proclamation can be found at the following White House website: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/American-Red-Cross-Month-2009/

To get more information on how you can get involved, including training, volunteering, donations (money or blood), read the complete story at:

http://www.redcrossnca.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=201:march-is-red-cross-month&catid=56:community-services&Itemid=72

Volunteer to Save the Economy - New York Times

"THIS week, President Obama called upon all Americans to volunteer, to pitch in and give back. We hope that the president is serious about this challenge, because providing more opportunities for national and community service won’t just lift the nation’s spirit, it could help save the economy.

...

As Americans have proven in times of crisis, what we ask of ourselves matters a great deal. If we want to create the most jobs for the lowest cost with the least bureaucracy and foster the spirit of sacrifice that the president envisions, the economic recovery plan should find a place for more Americans to do good works in hard times."

The complete article, which was featured on www.servicenation.org can be found at:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/23/opinion/23reed.html?_r=1

Every Active Volunteer Has A Reason

In December 1992, Andrew Levy’s parents were called by the doctors at Strong Memorial Hospital and told he had less than 3 hours to live. It was a 6 hour drive for them to get to Rochester, NY.

After several tests, he was hospitalized as the result of Guillain-Barré (GBS), an illness that impacts the peripheral nervous system. He was paralyzed for several months, confined to a wheelchair. Once he regained control of his muscle and nerve systems, he needed to relearn how to walk.

Today, fully recovered, Mr. Levy continues his commitment to volunteer work in a major way. In addition to his career as a certified senior managing consultant with IBM’s U.S. Federal Office of the CTO, he gives his time to numerous community organizations and through an IBM program called On Demand Community.

He actively volunteers with Engineering Week, Take Your Child To Work Day, Mentoring, MentorNet, Powerup, Earth Day, TryScience, College and Accessibility Ambassador, Online Safety, Emergency Preparedness and Response. He was also a part of IBM’s initial teams selected for the Corporate Service Corps, volunteering this summer in Davao City, Philippines.

When Mr. Levy was diagnosed with GBS, the American Red Cross used plasmapheresis to get him on the path to recovery. As he says, “The Red Cross saved my life”. Since then, he became very active in volunteer work, including emergency response, but surprisingly not with the local Red Cross chapter in Northern Virginia.

But this is really only the beginning of the story. What seems like a few years ago, Mr. Levy was volunteering at an American Red Cross of the National Capital Area Save a Life Event, representing other volunteer community response groups. An executive from the Red Cross came over to the volunteers to thank the volunteers. Then she turned to him with such excitement for the partner agencies for being there and asked, why do you volunteer. He explained the story about GBS and how Red Cross played a major role. The tone of the conversation quickly changed and became very emotional. It turns out that this person’s brother currently had GBS and was challenged to find doctors, support network, information, and just someone to talk to, who has been through it. Giving a new friend a hug goes a long way. Is this a case of being in the right place at the right time? Or just something that is core to all Red Cross volunteers, their values.

American Red Cross Values

• Humanitarianism:
  We exist in order to serve others in need, independently and without discrimination, providing relief for victims of disasters and helping people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.
  
• Stewardship:
  We act responsibly, effectively and efficiently with resources entrusted to us, always seeking to improve.
  
• Helping Others:
  We are attentive and responsible to those who we serve, always listening to their needs and looking for ways to serve through existing or new initiatives.
  
• Respect:
  We acknowledge, respect and support the rights and diversity of each person in our organization and in the communities we serve.
  
• Voluntary Spirit:
  We, as a family of donors, volunteers and staff, search for ways to provide hope to those we serve while demonstrating compassion, generosity and appreciation.
  
• Continuous Learning:
  We seek, collectively and individually, to identify, obtain and maintain competencies and the awareness required for exceptional service.
  
• Integrity:
  We act with honesty, demonstrate courage and accountability under pressure and openly share ideas and information with each other.

It was because of her that Mr. Levy became a Red Cross Volunteer. While she says that he made a difference, helping her through this, she has clearly made a difference in his life. As, it is not what you receive, but the value and help you are able to give to others.

With the Presidential Inauguration and Martin Luther King Day of Community Service in the United States, this marked another major moment in Mr. Levy’s life. During this momentous time in our nation's history, Mr. Levy has reached the President's Call To Service of 4,000 hours, while volunteering this week with the American Red Cross, during MLK Day and Inauguration.

Everybody has a reason why they volunteer. At Neighbors Helping Neighbors, we would like to salute all the American Red Cross volunteers and all volunteers around the world. And give hope to those who are going through some tough times.

Your Voice On The President's Desk At Night

Have you heard about the Citizen's Briefing Book?

"Share your ideas on any issue facing the new administration, then rate or comment on other ideas. The best rated ideas will rise to the top -- and be gathered into a Citizen's Briefing Book to be delivered to President Obama after he is sworn in. "

http://citizensbriefingbook.change.gov/

Our Concerns For Those With Special Needs

In the past two weeks, Neighbors Helping Neighbors raised concern on this website and multiple discussion groups in the Capital Region, about the limited information and resources available for those with special needs.

NBC Washington now reports, "Organizers warn people with disabilities to have backup plans".

The complete story can be found at:

http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Inauguration-Will-be-Accessible-Daunting-for-the-Disabled.html

For those that missed the news conference with the Governors of MD and VA and Mayor of DC, the one thing that was made clear is EVERYONE needs a plan. As mentioned during the press conference, this will not be a day a usual of packing up your family in the van to go to the Air and Space museum.

Volunteer Recognition - Can't Purchase This SIGNED Item In Stores

Are you looking for a unique way to recognize your volunteers?

Consider purchasing the

Barack Obama Inauguration Waterford Crystal Paperweight.

Available in dome (as pictured).

This item is not available on the Waterford website. Only a limited number of this item are being produced and have been shipped directly from Ireland.

This item is signed by Jim O'Leary, Waterford Design Director.

Jim began his four-decade career at Waterford Crystal as a cutter and rapidly attained Master Craftsman status. After a five-year stint in the Design Studio, he ascended to his current position as its director. Jim retains the skilled craftsman's dedication to the crystal arts, from blowing and cutting to sculpting and polishing.

Only a limited number of signed items are available.

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the American Red Cross.

For additional information, including pricing, please email neighborshelpingneighbors@live.com

What a great way to recognize your volunteers...

and have a piece of history!!!

Michelle Obama Reaches Out To Neighbors Helping Neighbors Readers

Neighbors Helping Neighbors,

One week from today, on January 19th, Barack and I will join thousands of people all across the country for an extraordinary day of service.

I recorded a short video to tell you more about this important effort. Please take a minute to watch it and sign up to host or attend a service event near you.

Volunteers of all ages and backgrounds are committing to renew America together, one community at a time.

Whatever service activity you organize or take part in -- cleaning up a park, giving blood, volunteering at a homeless shelter, or mentoring an at-risk youth -- you can help start this important journey. But this is about more than just a single day of service, it's the beginning of ongoing commitment to your community.

Monday, January 19th, is also Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Dr. King taught us to live a life of service, and he led by example. He once said:

"If you want to be important -- wonderful. If you want to be recognized -- wonderful. If you want to be great -- wonderful. But, recognize that he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. That's a new definition of greatness."

Barack and I will be volunteering in Washington, D.C., our new home. I hope you'll join us by taking part in this national call to service in your community:

http://www.USAservice.org/calltoservice

It will take ordinary citizens working together with a common purpose to get this country back on track. This national day of service is an important first step in our continuing commitment.

Now is the time to remind all Americans what ordinary people can accomplish when we stand together.

Thank you,

Michelle

P.S. -- If you are already planning to be in Washington, D.C. for the Inauguration, text SERVE to 56333 to receive information about service opportunities in the nation's capital. Or you can learn more here:

http://www.pic2009.org/page/m2/14907fd6/57895898/2aaf8eaf/607ee096/1855764089/VEsC/