Received Most Votes among Development Organizations in Competition Sponsored by American Express and TakePart
- 01 Jun 2010 -
The International Rescue Committee is one of six winners in the first Members Project competition sponsored by American Express and TakePart, an innovative online initiative that enables caring individuals to vote for their favorite charities and generate funding for the groups that win.
Competing in the Community Development category with nine other organizations, the IRC received 53% of votes cast by visitors to TakePart.com and will share $1.2 million with the winners in several other categories.
“The International Rescue Committee salutes American Express and Take Part for providing this opportunity for people to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those in need,” says George Rupp, the IRC’s president. “We extend a heartfelt thank you to all those individuals who voted for us. It represents a huge show of support for our efforts to restore hope and opportunity to people around the world whose lives have been turned upside down by war and disaster.”
Rupp says this kind of funding helps the IRC to respond quickly to meet the urgent humanitarian needs of vulnerable families during crises, whether it’s providing medical care and clean water in such places as Haiti, Pakistan and Congo or aiding struggling refugees who have been granted sanctuary in the United States.
About the International Rescue Committee
A global leader in humanitarian aid, the IRC works in over 40 countries delivering lifesaving care, recovery and development assistance to refugees and others uprooted by conflict and disaster. Through its offices in 22 U.S. cities, the IRC also helps resettle thousands of refugees admitted annually into the United States. For more information, visit www.theIRC.org.
About Members Project
American Express joined forces with TakePart, a content-driven social action network created by Participant Media, to drive citizen engagement and social action. Helping people make a difference in the lives of others at www.takepart.com/membersproject, this program provides individuals with numerous ways to get involved in diverse causes. Whether it’s volunteering for a local organization, making a donation or voting for a charity to receive additional funding from American express, Members Project empowers others to be successful at making a difference.
Media Contact: Melissa Winkler
212-551-0972 or 646-734-0305
melissa.winkler@theIRC.org
