Raymond Chambers Honored for Lifetime Achievement in Volunteer Service; Award presented by Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network

BALTIMORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 4, 2003--Raymond G. Chambers, a leader in philanthropy in the United States and especially in his hometown of Newark, N.J., is the recipient of the Lenore and George W. Romney Citizen Volunteer Award from the Points of Light Foundation & the National Network of Volunteer Centers.

The national award will be presented Sunday, June 8, during the opening session of the 2003 National Conference on Community Volunteering and National Service, which is being convened by the Foundation and the Corporation for National and Community Service at the Baltimore Convention Center June 8 - 10.

The award recognizes distinguished Americans who have built and sustained a lifetime of volunteerism and citizenship.

The generosity and commitment of Chambers has meant the difference between despair and hope for thousands of children in New Jersey and across the nation. He is widely credited with the renaissance occurring in the City of Newark. Chambers founded the Amelior Foundation - from the Latin word meaning to "improve" or "make better" - which directs its charitable efforts toward helping at-risk youth.

For nearly 20 years, the foundation has had a positive impact on hundreds of thousands of underprivileged children.

Chambers strongly believes that the intervention of a caring adult is the single most critical element in the life of a child. He co-founded the National Mentoring Partnership in Washington, D.C., one of the most recognized organizations in the mentoring field.

He is also founding chairman of the Points of Light Foundation, and joined with General Colin Powell to help found America's Promise - The Alliance for Youth, which has united more than 550 communities across the nation to help fulfill the five basic promises set forth in the Presidents' Summit for America's Future.

In 1981, Chambers joined with former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury William E. Simon to found Wesray Capital Corporation, which became one of the most highly respected and successful investment firms in the nation. In the late 1980s, he began to focus his efforts toward charitable endeavors.

The Lenore and George W. Romney Citizen Volunteer Award was established in 1987 and presented to Governor Romney that year. The award is given by the Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network to those distinguished Americans who have demonstrated the same spirit of volunteering and citizenship that characterized the lives of the late Lenore and George Romney.

Mrs. Romney served as chair of the National Conference of Christians and Jews and was named Church Woman of the Year. George Romney was one of the few modern Americans who distinguished himself in all three sectors of society - in business, in government and as a volunteer.

Other recipients include Eunice and Sargent Shriver, Dr. Dorothy Height, James and Sara Brady, Bob Hope, Harry Belafonte, Gen. Colin Powell, Millard Fuller and the George and Olive Osmond Family.

The Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network engages and mobilizes millions of volunteers who are helping to solve serious social problems in thousands of communities. Through a variety of programs and services, the Foundation encourages people from all walks of life - corporations, faith-based organizations, low-income communities, families, youth, and older adults - to volunteer.

By calling 800/VOLUNTEER, or visiting www.1800volunteer.org, interested persons can get connected to volunteer opportunities within their communities.