February Newsletter: Important Updates from Peace Corps Commemorative Foundation
FEBRUARY 2023 UPDATE
Dear Supporters,
Settling into my new leadership role at the Peace Corps Commemorative Foundation, I am truly grateful to be part of this unique initiative being created in the heart of the nation’s capital. It will permanently honor and symbolize the historic significance of the Peace Corps and its embodiment of timeless American ideals and values: compassion, generosity, perseverance.
I am honored to serve the Peace Corps community, as well as all Americans and peoples of the world, and to work with the Foundation’s distinguished board of directors in bringing the Commemorative to fruition.
This spring the Commemorative design team will undertake pre-construction phases of detailed design and engineering. This work will enable the Foundation to receive federal agency final approvals, negotiate construction contracts and obtain construction permits prior to ground-breaking.
With your help, we will break ground in late spring of 2024 and cut the ribbon later in the year.
That’s just around the corner!
Picture this...
A bus pulls up to the corner of Louisiana Avenue and 1st Street, NW steps from the US Capitol Building in Washington, DC. As passengers – tourists, activists, or even immigrants arriving from the border – disembark, they are greeted by returned Peace Corps Volunteers.
Whether meeting up with cohorts, hosting story slams, or volunteering for worthy causes, the Peace Corps community has a gathering place at Peace Corps Commemorative Park.
How will the Peace Corps Commemorative come to life after the ribbon is cut?
What will the outreaching granite arms and the borderless map mean to those of us who have served, as well as to those yet to share in the life-transforming experience?
And if the Peace Corps itself one day no longer exists, how will Peace Corps Commemorative convey our ideals and values for future generations?
How will it inspire others to embrace volunteer service whether at home or abroad in the interest of creating a better world?
That is the conversation to which we now invite you, as we jointly move forward with the design concept.
Institutional and Corporate Support Continues to Grow
The Peace Corps Commemorative Foundation has attracted valuable financial leadership from the international development community, where thousands of returning Volunteers find employment opportunities after their Peace Corps service. Institutional investment in the Commemorative has enabled early strides in our work and helped create momentum.
We gratefully acknowledge the generous support of the following organizations that have collectively contributed more than $500,000 to the Peace Corps Commemorative Foundation to date: Chemonics, Creative Associates International, DAI Global, FHI360, Global Communities, RTI International, University Research Corporation, World Education Services
And interest in the Peace Corps Commemorative extends well beyond the Peace Corps community. One of the Commemorative’s staunchest allies is Jeff Zell, whose real estate firm, JM Zell Partners, has contributed over $100,000 to the Commemorative. Jeff was so inspired by the Peace Corps Commemorative vision that he joined the Commemorative Foundation board of directors, while his former senior partner, Aida Downing, has donated countless hours of her time and talent since 2019.
Other organizations contributing include Alder Branch Realty, the Greater Washington Community Foundation, and National Peace Corps Association.
Recognizing Our Supporters
Reiterating our President Roger Lewis’ gratitude in January’s inaugural newsletter, I want to also acknowledge the financial leadership of our Peace Corps community stakeholders who have generously contributed to advancing this important mission.
My conversations with many of you have guided and informed our thoughts about appropriate donor recognition. Our website now displays the cumulative donation of every supporter who has contributed at least $1,000 toward making the Commemorative project a reality. Take a moment to go to our supporters list at Peace Corps Commemorative Supporters.
Let's Connect!
I’ll be on the road building awareness of the Peace Corps Commemorative over the next several weeks - Florida in late March, California in late April, and New York in May. I hope we can connect and visit as I’d welcome your thoughts and insights about the Commemorative.
In service,
Glenn Blumhorst
Chief Advancement Officer
Peace Corps Commemorative Foundation
President and CEO, National Peace Corps Association (2013-22)
RPCV Guatemala (1988-91)
PEACE CORPS COMMEMORATIVE FOUNDATION
Compassion Generosity Perseverance
Please note our new preferred mailing address:
5636 Connecticut Avenue, NW Ste 42143
Washington, DC 20015
The Peace Corps Commemorative Foundation is the trade name of the Peace Corps Foundation,
a District of Columbia 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
EIN: 01-0554700
