From our friends at IFMA (Dan H.)

DanHolohan

IFMA FOUNDATION’S VOLUNTEER REBUILD PROJECT PAINTS NEW ORLEANS RED



HOUSTON—(July 24, 2007)—The International Facility Management Association’s (IFMA) World Workplace 2007 Conference & Expo is heading to New Orleans with more than the latest in facility management trends and innovations – it’s also bringing some helping hands.



New Orleans was presented with one of history’s greatest facility management challenges following Hurricane Katrina. To aid in this recovery, the nonprofit IFMA Foundation is hosting the IFMA Foundation Volunteer Rebuild Project on Saturday, Oct. 27. This event seeks to honor New Orleans’ first responders by repairing damaged fire stations throughout the city. Volunteers from around the world will stay a day after the conclusion of World Workplace 2007, Oct. 24-26, to offer their time and talent.



“This idea was born from the fundamental nature of what facility managers do for a career – they tend to the built environment,” said IFMA Foundation Executive Director Will Rub. “The men and women who depend on these structures are the same people who had to abandon their own facilities to assist others. Helping them is the right thing to do, and it gives our attendees an opportunity to express their gratitude and civic spirit.”



Those volunteering will meet at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center at 8:30 a.m. on Oct. 27 and head by bus to a number of New Orleans fire stations. Once there, they will repaint and refurbish the buildings, with the IFMA Foundation allocating approximately $45,000 for the repairs.



“The New Orleans Fire Department is very pleased to have volunteers representing IFMA help us repair damaged fire stations,” said Superintendent Charles Parent. “Restoring these fire stations puts us in a position to better serve the citizens of New Orleans.”



In addition to the building restoration, the New Orleans Fire Department (NOFD) is seeking office furniture, beds, appliances and other items. Those wishing to volunteer, donate money or contribute furnishings to NOFD should contact Will Rub at (713) 623-4362 or william.rub@ifma.org .



IFMA’s World Workplace 2007 will be open Wednesday, Oct. 24, from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.; Thursday, Oct. 25, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.; and Friday, Oct. 26, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. For a complete list of exhibitors or more information, please visit www.worldworkplace.org .



Established in 1990 as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation and separate entity from the International Facility Management Association (IFMA), the IFMA Foundation works for the public good to promote priority research and educational opportunities for the advancement of facility management. The IFMA Foundation is supported by the generosity of the FM community, including IFMA members, chapters, councils, corporate sponsors and private contributors who are united by the belief that education and research improve the FM profession. To learn more about the good works of the IFMA Foundation, visit www.ifmafoundation.org . For more information about IFMA, visit www.ifma.org