Day 4 in Denver: Michelle Obama, Jill Biden Kick Off Delegate Service Day By Preparing...

Day 4 in Denver: Michelle Obama, Jill Biden Kick Off Delegate Service Day By
Preparing Care Packages for Troops
Joined by their friends and family, Obama and Biden continue Democratic
Party's commitment to community service

DENVER, Aug. 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Michelle Obama, wife of
Democratic presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama, Dr. Jill Biden, wife of
Democratic vice presidential nominee, Senator Joe Biden, and Jeannie Ritter,
wife of Governor Bill Ritter of Colorado, kicked off the Democratic National
Convention's Delegate Service Day in Denver'sCurtis Park neighborhood today.
All three women and their families joined hundreds of volunteers to prepare
care packages for troops serving abroad. The event was sponsored by the Iraq
and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation's first and largest
nonpartisan organization for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Tammy Duckworth, an Illinois National Guard Major and Iraq War veteran, also
joined today's service project.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080331/DNCCLOGO )
As Co-Chair of the Democratic National Convention's Delegate Service Day
and someone who has built her career around serving her community, Mrs. Obama
discussed the importance of public service -- a cornerstone of the Obama/Biden
campaign and the Democratic Party.
"These projects are our way of saying thank you to the people of Denver,
our gracious hosts this week. But our work today is also out of support and
great admiration for the troops who are serving our country abroad and keeping
us safe at home. My family is thrilled to be here today to send a few
comforts of home to our soldiers overseas," said Mrs. Obama. "We hope the
more than one thousand delegates taking part in the many service projects
across Denver today will carry that commitment to service back to help their
communities long after our Convention is over."
At dozens of community service sites in and around Denver on Wednesday,
projects ranging from serving meals for the homeless and park cleanup, to
reading to children and aiding military families are being coordinated by
Metro Volunteers, Democrats Work and Volunteers of America. Through this
effort, and in conjunction with ServiceNation, a national campaign to increase
community and national service opportunities and promote service as a core
ideal of civic engagement, the Democratic National Convention Committee aims
to inspire hundreds of thousands of Americans in a renewed commitment to
service.
Delegate Service Day aims to inspire citizens across the country to take
action and serve in their communities in a renewed commitment to national
service and pride in America's future. This support for volunteerism builds
on Barack Obama's commitment to make public service a hallmark of his
administration. It also builds on Michelle's own experience as a public
advocate for throughout her life.
Early on in her career as an attorney, Michelle realized that corporate
law was not her calling. So she left to give back to the city she loves and
to help others serve their communities. She worked for City Hall, becoming
the assistant commissioner of planning and development. Then she became the
founding director of the Chicago chapter of Public Allies, an AmeriCorps
program that prepares young people for public service. Today, more than 350
young leaders have graduated from Public Allies Chicago.
Upon arrival to Denver on Sunday, Michelle Obama was greeted by the
Governor and First Lady of Colorado, Bill and Jeanie Ritter, community service
volunteers and first time delegates at the airport.
Senators Obama and Biden have always believed that, even in the face of
all odds, people who love their country can change it. That is why, in the
White House, they will implement a National Service Plan, which will work to
create new opportunities for Americans to tackle our national challenges
through service. The Obama/Biden National Service Plan will encourage military
service, expand service programs like AmeriCorps and Peace Corps, and build
service into education.
Your can read the Obama/Biden National Service Plan HERE:
http://www.barackobama.com/pdf/NationalServicePlanFactSheet.pdf.
SOURCE 2008 Democratic National Convention Committee

Marti Adams of Democratic National Convention Committee, +1- 312-718-4392