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Commissioner Robert Watson, national commander, has been invited to attend “The President’s Summit for America’s Future,” slated to be held in Philadelphia in late April.
President Bill Clinton and former President George Bush, joined by Vice President Al Gore, recently announced plans for the Summit, aimed at bringing America to a new level of commitment to volunteer service, and especially targeting the nation’s young people. General Colin Powell will serve as General Chairman.
Clinton said “Much of the work of America cannot be done by government, much other work cannot be done by government alone. The solution must be the American people through voluntary service to others.”
“This is one of the programs the Points of Light Foundation is sponsoring in connection with its Connect America initiative,” said Colonel John Bate, national chief secretary. “On January 14, Commissioner Watson, on behalf of the Army, signed on as a Connect America Partner with such agencies as Leadership 18, W.K. Kellogg Foundation, National Assembly, and the United Way of America, as well as the former presidents of the United States and their wives.”
Connect America is a collaborative effort of a diverse and growing group of national and local organizations–civic associations, businesses, labor unions, fraternal organizations, etc.–that are fighting back against the “disconnection” pervasive in American life by stimulating and supporting expanded “connection through service.”
Plans for Salvation Army involvement include forming a new mentoring relationship with a family each month in each of its 6,638 program units. The mentoring focus will be on single parents and children. Community collaborations and partnerships, volunteers, staff and members will coordinate to form an intergenerational paradigm that will address individual, family and extended family needs.
Committee members are Lt. Col. Ronda Bollwahn, chair, Lt. Col. Paul Bollwahn, Lt. Col. Shari Ulyat, and Major Tom Jones.
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