FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Media Contact:

Kurt Jostes, Deputy Director
504-289-4497-cell
kurt@camprestore.org                            

Camp Restore Celebrates 10 Years of Service in New Orleans 

Over one million volunteer hours have been dedicated to the restoration of post-Katrina Greater New Orleans 

NEW ORLEANS, La. (May 31, 2016) - Camp Restore, a New Orleans faith-based volunteer program, is celebrating 10 years of service in 2016.

In the decade following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, Camp Restore has annually matched over 3,000 volunteers from all 50 states and 20 countries with much-needed service projects in and around the Greater New Orleans area, contributing a total of over 1 million volunteer hours since 2006.

Camp Restore coordinates home restoration efforts, as well as connects volunteers with over 80 local nonprofits, churches and schools, doing almost every kind of volunteer work, including construction, landscaping, mentoring, caretaking, administrative help, and more.

"We are in an exciting new phase of work exploring what God has in mind for us here," said Pastor David Goodine, executive director of RAI Ministries, the nonprofit parent of Camp Restore. "Our work is about more than restoring homes, it's restoring faith, home and community, putting available resources to work in partnership with our neighbors to uplift everyone. It's as life-changing for our volunteers as it is for those they partner with."

Located in New Orleans East at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 9301 Chef Menteur Highway, in a renovated former school facility, Camp Restore/RAI Ministries can host nearly 300 volunteers at a time. The Camp provides clean, comfortable and safe lodging, delicious meals, and space to gather and reflect. Volunteer groups range from high school, college and university students to church groups and inter-generational family groups of all ages, all of whom serve, on average, a week at a time.

For more information, to volunteer or suggest a volunteer project, and for homeowners interested in receiving volunteer assistance in rebuilding, please contact Camp Restore at 504-242-2636 or www.camprestore.org

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About Camp Restore / RAI Ministries
Camp Restore hosts, provides meals and project coordination for volunteer groups of all sizes and ages year-round in New Orleans, La. Through organized, monitored and vetted partnerships with over 80 local nonprofits, volunteers are able to make a difference while serving alongside local New Orleanians across a wide range of work. They return home to their schools, congregations and communities with a renewed and sometimes brand-new sense of dedication for helping others.

RAI Ministries also operates the Lower Ninth Ward and New Orleans East Senior Centers, providing hot meals and opportunities for seniors to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle.