SAN FRANCISCO, CA. - January 19, 2009 - This morning, in the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the Web's largest and most popular volunteer network launched a new Google Earth(TM) integration that will make it easier for millions of Americans to find a great place to volunteer.

The feature expands VolunteerMatch's award-winning search functionality to let visitors to www.volunteermatch.org browse local volunteer opportunities using the Google Earth(TM) mapping service. After installing the Google Earth(TM) plug-in, Web visitors can view tens of thousands of volunteer opportunities posted by local nonprofit organizations that have joined the VolunteerMatch network.

A video demonstration of VolunteerMatch Google Earth(TM):

The launch is set against the backdrop of what will be the biggest Martin Luther King Day of Service in history as individuals and nonprofits celebrate the power of service and volunteering to strengthen communities. Initiated by Congress in 1994, the King Day of Service has grown in impact and awareness ever since. This year the holiday is one of the centerpieces of President-Elect Obama's inaugural festivities and the beneficiary of his call for Americans to serve. The Day of Service takes place on Monday, January 19.

"We're proud to be investing in technology that supports the national effort to renew the spirit of service embodied by Dr. King," said Greg Baldwin, president of VolunteerMatch. "We know Americans are hungry to get involved. Our new Google Earth plug-in makes it easier to learn about your community and connect with a meaningful opportunity to serve."

"To see VolunteerMatch's Google Earth integration in action is a great reminder of the power of technology to make the world a better place," said Rebecca Moore, manager of Google Earth(TM) Outreach, a company program designed to help nonprofit organizations around the world leverage Google's mapping tools in their work. "I found it fascinating to fly around the United States and my own community, learning about volunteer opportunities in my own backyard."

For more about VolunteerMatch Google Earth(TM):
http://www.volunteermatch.org/volunteers/resources/googleearth_intro.jsp

For more about VolunteerMatch:
http://www.volunteermatch.org

For more about Google Earth Outreach:
http://earth.google.com/outreach

For more about the Martin Luther King Day of Service
http://www.mlkday.gov

About VolunteerMatch

VolunteerMatch is the Web's largest and most popular volunteering network. Its award- winning online service, www.volunteermatch.org, strengthens communities by making it easier for good people and good causes to connect. The VolunteerMatch network regularly welcomes more than 8 million visitors each year, including millions of participants in employee volunteer programs, and has become the preferred volunteer recruiting service for more than 62,000 nonprofits.

VolunteerMatch

VolunteerMatch

VolunteerMatch believes everyone should have the chance to make a difference. As the Web's largest volunteer engagement network, serving over 122,000 participating nonprofits, 100 network partners, and 13 million annual visitors, VolunteerMatch offers unique, award-winning solutions for individuals, nonprofits and companies to make this vision a reality. Since its launch in 1998, VolunteerMatch has helped the social sector attract more than $13 billion worth of volunteer services. Learn more about VolunteerMatch at VolunteerMatch.org, and follow @VolunteerMatch.

 

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