Tourism Cares for America Volunteer Day a Huge Success

Contact Stef Komorowski: 508-698-6810, Stef@classic-communications.com

Canton, MA-September 10, 2010-Tourism Cares, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving natural, cultural and historical sites throughout the world, hosted a painting project at the National Mall and Memorial Parks in Washington, DC on Friday, September 10.

Volunteers associated with the travel, tourism and hospitality industries demonstrated their commitment to giving back by assisting with much needed painting projects at 12 locations, including the World War II Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, the Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial and Lafayette Park. Their efforts upgraded the overall appearance of the benches and walkways. It also helped the National Park Service that oversees the area by providing this work at no cost, while also encouraging more participation in volunteerism and public service.

"The event was a huge success," said Bruce Beckham, Executive Director, Tourism Cares. "The weather cooperated and everyone had a great time. The 250 volunteers that participated in this project saved the financially-strapped National Park Service over $26,000." In addition, Tourism Cares presented a check for $20,000 to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.

Volunteers followed the lead of President Barack Obama who signed the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act of 2009 to expand the mission of national community service and to recognize September 11as a national day of remembrance and service. Tourism Cares encourages people to visit the nation's capital and to perform much needed services.

Tourism Cares is a non-profit public charity whose mission is to preserve the travel experience for future generations. It accomplishes this by mobilizing the travel and tourism industry and travelers to give back to society through grants to natural, cultural and historical sites throughout the world; through academic and service-learning scholarships for students of hospitality and tourism majors; and through the organization of volunteer efforts to clean up and restore tourism-related sites in need of care and rejuvenation. For more information about Tourism Cares, please visit www.tourismcares.org.