September Newsletter:
A new way to serve
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This week, we celebrated the 64th anniversary of JFK signing the Peace Corps Act, and while it is one of several milestones in the history of volunteer service that we mark, the day that “made it official,” is one of the most significant in the shared story of every single person who’s worked in, for or with the Peace Corps since 1961.
President Kennedy opened his remarks that day noting that “With the enactment of this legislation, an avenue is provided by which Americans can serve their country in the cause of world peace and understanding…”
He was creating a new way to serve, and changing the definition of what it means to be an American, to be a patriot. It was a big idea, made a reality by a bipartisan group of legislators and colleagues who believed that ideas can inspire. It's the same idea that motivates us to inspire future generations, and we know this community can come together to make it happen.
So please, join us and help make Peace Corps Park real. Help us ensure that the spirit of service has a permanent place in our nation’s capital.
Glenn A. Blumhorst
Chief Advancement Officer
Peace Corps Commemorative Foundation
President and CEO, National Peace Corps Association (2013-22)
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, Guatemala (1988-91)
GBlumhorst@PeaceCorpsCommemorative.org
A new look at the futue site of Peace Corps Park
We are excited to share a new perspective on the future site of Peace Corps Park that underscores the amazing location that we were able to secure from the National Park Service. A short walk from both the U.S. Capitol and the National Mall, and across the street from the Taft Memorial, Peace Corps Park will be in very good company in our nation's capital.
You can watch the video on
our YouTube channel, and don’t hesitate to share it with others to give them a bird’s-eye view of the future site of Peace Corps Park.
PCCF treasurer joins senior Peace Corps staff
Peace Corps Park in the news
We often praise the generous community of supporters who have made financial contributions to Peace Corps Park, but there are plenty of other ways that everyone in this community can contribute to the project. This month we highlight a few recent mentions that help underscore the importance of our work and the gap we are trying to fill in our nation’s definition of itself, represented by the federal memorials and monuments in Washington, D.C.
Congressman Brian Baird: Why Isn’t America’s Greatest Story Being Told?
Congressman Brian Baird, a six-term member of Congress and founder of the National Museum and Center for Service, gave an inspiring speech at the TEDxPacific Avenue conference this summer that simply and persuasively made the case for honoring service in visible ways.
“I believe we need to honor all forms of service. Not because the people who serve demand it or seek it, but because they deserve it,” he said. “And maybe more importantly, because we need to see it. Especially in America now. We need to see examples of selflessness, not selfishness, of people who give to others because it’s the right thing to do.”
Watch his full TED talk on YouTube.
Platinum status for transparency
Fundraising Update
We gratefully acknowledge the following donors, who have made generous new contributions and/or pledges since
August 26, 2025:
See our digital donor wall showing all cumulative gifts to Peace Corps Park!
* New gift in addition to prior gift
$20,000 - $49,999
Robert G. Clark
$5,000 - $9,999
Diana T. MacArthur*
Eleanor and William Revelle**
$1,000 - $4,999
Ned and Norma Benner
Henry and Elizabeth Carmines*
Steven Choi*
Geri Critchley*
Dr. Peter J. Dalum*
Ed Demerly*
Melanie Grant*
Kathryn Larson and Laura Coffee
Mickie Lee-Merslich*
Finlay and Willie Lewis
Friends of Malaysia*
Arianna Richard*
Ken and Katherine Weaver
Other gifts to $999
Janice and Paul Arcidiacono
Vicky Thoma Barrette*
Peggy Bromley*
Chicago Area Peace Corps Association
Pete Coombs
Edwin Fountain*
Pamela George and W. David Austin*
William Grindley*
William Hall
Peter Hansen*
Thomas Kirchberg*
Linda Layfield
Guy Toby Marion
New Mexico Peace Corps Association
Michael Ohanlon
Richard Pfau*
John Quigley*
Daniel Regan
Edward Russell*
William Sachs*
Jamari Salleh
George M. Vitaliano*
Helen Wheeler
PEACE CORPS PARK AMBASSADORS
(Donors making recurring monthly contributions of any size)
Sue Hoyt Aiken
Linda Barnett
Rick Bird
Ellen Davis-Zapata
Elizabeth Downes
Greg Emerson
John Feighery
Luis Garzon-Negreiros
G. David Hicks
Elizabeth Hinshaw-Osgood
Peter Hofman
Ann Hopkins
Laura Kettel Khan
Linda Kolko
Roni Lerner Love
Deborah Manget
Judy Marcouiller
Cynda H. McMahon
Marty Mueller
Nancy Nuechterlein
Bill Piatt
Richard Pyle
Shawn Reagan
Jessica Rogers
Robert Smythe
John Sommerhauser
Peter J. Stubben
Mary Lou Weathers
Anna Whitcomb
Kathleen Williams-Ging
Chuck Wolf
Darrel Young
Where is Glenn?
If you or your group are interested in learning the details of our plans for Peace Corps Park, Glenn spends a great deal of his time traveling across the country and back, meeting with stakeholders across all 50 states. He is always happy to share the vision in person—and there’s a good chance he’s already planning to be in your area! Just reply to this email and let Glenn know if you’d like to arrange a meetup.
Up next:
Sept. 28 Santa Cruz, CA: NorCal PCA Annual Meeting
Oct. 3-4 Washington,
D.C.:
Peace Corps Iran conference
Oct. 7 New York City: NYCPCA-Peace Corps Park reception
Oct. 25 Miami: South Florida RPCVs Annual Meeting
Dec. 11-14 Oakland, CA: Liberia IX reunion
PeaceCorpsCommemorative.org
PEACE CORPS COMMEMORATIVE FOUNDATION
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
