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Ami Neiberger-Miller Sister Cities International 1301 Pennsylvania Ave Ste 850 Washington, DC 20004 202.347.8630 ext. 4876 cell 703.887.4877 amiller@sister-cities.org |
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Nation's Third Largest Charity to Supply Donations for the Citizen Diplomacy Movement
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 3, 2004
WASHINGTON - Sister Cities International announces a global partnership with Gifts In Kind International, the nation's third largest charity, to provide donations of supplies and equipment for the growing sister city movement.
Now operating in 128 countries, sister city member organizations will benefit from Gifts in Kind International's proven record of excellence in securing donations of newly manufactured and donated products and services that improve people's lives, say organizers. The partnership was approved by the Gifts in Kind International board in November.
"We are delighted to partner globally with Gifts In Kind International," said Tim Honey, executive director of Sister Cities International. "This partnership will expand our network's capacity to make a difference around the world in sustainable development, youth and education, and humanitarian assistance programs." Honey said that because sister city programs are autonomous and tailored to fit the needs of collaborating communities, the flexibility and searchable databases provided by Gifts In Kind International are ideal.
Sister city projects will also get a helping hand up with pre-designed kits from Gifts in Kind International, built around disaster relief, personal healthcare and hygiene, medical, youth recreation, education and building construction. Access to an international shipping network will also aid sister city projects.
In 2003, Gifts In Kind International and its network helped charities access nearly $800 million worth of newly manufactured, donated products and services around the world. By harnessing the power of corporate generosity, the global philanthropic network gives nonprofits resources to clothe the needy, rebuild communities devastated by natural disasters, outfit schools with educational materials, equip healthcare clinics with medical supplies, and offer people hope for a better life.
Members of Sister Cities International will benefit from this partnership through access to an extensive database of low-cost high-quality products and services donated by top companies. Gifts in Kind International's partnership network includes Dell Inc., The Gillette Company; IBM; HP; Sears, Roebuck and Company; the National School and Office Supply Association; the General Motors Company; the International Sanitary Supply Association, Inc. and The Gap, Inc.
About Sister Cities International
Representing more than 2,600 communities in 128 countries, Sister Cities International (www.sister-cities.org) is a citizen diplomacy network creating and strengthening partnerships between the U.S. and communities abroad. Begun in 1956 after a White House summit where U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower called for people-to-people exchanges, sister city partnerships are tailored to local interests and increase global cooperation at the grassroots level. Sister Cities International promotes peace through mutual respect, understanding and cooperation by focusing on sustainable development, youth and education, arts and culture, humanitarian assistance and economic growth programs.
About Gifts In Kind International
Gifts In Kind International (www.giftsinkind.org) is the world leader in product philanthropy and the 3rd largest product and service philanthropic provider in the United States. Its network of 450-plus Gifts In Kind® programs provides nonprofits access to million of dollars annually in product and service donations from companies worldwide-nearly $800 million in 2003. Gifts In Kind International operates at less than one percent of the fair market value of product donations, making it one of the most cost-effective organizations in the world. Its headquarters office is located in Alexandria, Virginia.