BUSINESS WIRE: Student volunteers from 152 campuses across the U.S. will dedicate their July 4^th holiday to rebuilding New Orleans’ Lower Ninth Ward community for residents and their children. HOPE worldwide, with the help of these young volunteers, plans to clear 50 to 100 building lots making way for future homes, develop a memorial garden for those who lost their lives during the storm and complete other beautification projects.

Why would these students volunteer to help restore New Orleans’ Ninth Ward over their mid-summer holiday?

One volunteer, Jon Elwell, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, said, “I really want to help families left homeless by Hurricane Katrina. Our country has a proud tradition of people stepping up to serve. I can’t think of a better way to mark our nation’s birthday.”

The day will end with a special ceremony in Buck Park. The 1,300 volunteers will join with several hundred residents, special guests including Malaak Compton-Rock (a co-judge on Oprah’s Big Give, founder of the Angelrock Project and wife of comedian Chris Rock) and other invited guests like New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin, Governor Bobby Jindal, and Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu, to welcome Lower Ninth Ward residents back home.

HOPE worldwide has been active on the Gulf Coast since Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005. Today, the organization continues to serve the region’s greatest ongoing needs through volunteer efforts and in partnership with organizations such as ACORN, the Louisiana Family Recovery Corps, and New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity, the American Red Cross, and the City of New Orleans.

The HOPE worldwide Gulf Coast team works closely with the Mayor of New Orleans Office. Dr. Edward Blakely, Executive Director, Mayor’s Office of Recovery and Development Administration stated, “HOPE worldwide is a true friend of the City of New Orleans. Beginning with your earliest efforts after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita through “Operation Safe Place,” the clean-up and tree planting events in City Park in March 2006, and ongoing efforts to assist homeowners rebuilding their homes in partnership with the Louisiana Family Recovery Corps; HOPE worldwide and its numerous volunteers are making a significant difference in the City’s rebuilding neighborhoods.”

HOPE worldwide Vice President of US Programs Antonio Boyd stated, “We have a unique opportunity to touch the lives of those who lost everything. I congratulate the students and volunteers for their sacrifice, hard work, and idealism. This will be a great event!”

Dedicated to serving the poor and needy, HOPE worldwide is a faith-based relief and development organization founded in 1991. The organization is registered with the U.S. Agency for International Development and has been granted special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. Its global community of employees, trained volunteers and partner organizations bring hope and change lives by providing humanitarian aid on all six inhabited continents. HOPE worldwide has been recognized for outstanding collaboration in addressing social issues in America.