Contact: Sue Tucker, 240-777-6530 or
Andrea Jolly, 240-777-2613
For Immediate Release: October 25, 2001

Duncan Declares Community
Preparedness and Service Day

Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan announced today that he is declaring Saturday, October 27 as Community Preparedness and Service Day. Community Service Day is an annual day set aside by Montgomery County where thousands of volunteers work on hundreds of projects on the same day, highlighting the importance of volunteerism.

“Volunteerism has taken on more importance this year as people search for ways to bring additional meaning to their lives in light of the recent tragic events in our country,” said Duncan. “In addition to volunteering time, I am asking that all our volunteers today distribute brochures with emergency preparedness tips and helpful phone numbers to friends and neighbors in their community.”

Duncan will kick off the day’s activities at a rally in the Executive Office Building cafeteria. A light breakfast and entertainment will be provided. For those interested in becoming mentors to young people, fingerprinting will be done at no charge. The Humane Society will also be on hand with animals available for adoption.

Following the rally, volunteers will move on to a variety of projects including cleaning parks and streams, beautifying schools, visiting nursing homes and painting shelters.

Duncan stressed the significance of declaring this day as Community Preparedness and Service Day by distributing information about disaster preparedness to all volunteers to distribute in the communities they are serving. The brochures provide residents with emergency preparedness information, including an emergency preparedness checklist, items to include in an emergency kit and useful phone numbers.

“On this special day of volunteering, I am stressing caring and preparing,” said Duncan. “I hope that all our residents will take the necessary steps to protect themselves and their loved ones in the event of a bioterrorism incident or other emergency.”

For more information, call 240-777-2600.