(Alexandria, Va. – June 22, 2009) — The top American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) individual member, affiliates, and communities for the “Second Century of Helping” Centennial community service project will be unveiled and recognized during the AAFCS 100th Annual Conference & Expo, Celebrating the Past, Sustaining the Future, at the Centennial Pacesetter Dinner on June 26th. Led by Don Bower, CFCS, AAFCS past president and professor emeritus and Extension human development specialist at The University of Georgia (UGA), the project was designed to encourage and recognize volunteering by AAFCS members during the Centennial year.

Over the past year, AAFCS members used the “Second Century of Helping” website to record more than 18,000 volunteer hours, with an estimated value of over $375,000.  Their remarkable volunteer efforts served the needs of a variety of individuals and families.  For example, one member provided training to migrant Head Start staff, while another member led a community forum to discuss the problem of racism.  Other examples include raising money for infant car seats, knitting helmet liners for troops in the Middle East, and training AARP tax-aide volunteers.    

“Strong families and communities don't just happen,” said Bower.  “The people who understand this best—family and consumer sciences professionals—apply their skills every day to help ensure that we have the information and abilities to live productive and meaningful lives.  The ‘Second Century of Helping’ project underscores the many ways that FCS contributes to a strong future for all of us.” 

Founded in 1909 by Ellen Swallow Richards, the first woman graduate and professor of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), AAFCS is the only national not-for-profit organization that provides leadership and support to FCS students and professionals across multiple practice settings. FCS professionals help individuals, families, and communities make informed decisions about their well-being, relationships, and resources to achieve optimal quality of life. AAFCS’ 6,000+ members are elementary, secondary, and post-secondary educators, researchers, and administrators; Cooperative Extension educators; and other professionals in business and industry, not-for-profit organizations, and government. These professionals provide research and applied knowledge in the areas of personal finance, child development and parenting, consumer education, housing and environment, apparel and textiles, and health and nutrition. With national headquarters based in Alexandria, Va., AAFCS has 52 affiliates located across the United States and Puerto Rico.

For more information, contact Gwynn Mason at 703-706-4600, ext. 4621, 703-859-8235, or gmason@aafcs.org.