Date: Dec 12, 2007

Hofstra Students Develop Children's Volunteer Program for Ronald McDonald House of Long Island

"Little Hands Helping Little Hands" to debut December 2007

Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY – A children’s volunteer program created by six senior Public Relations majors at Hofstra will launch on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 at the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island.

“Little Hands Helping Little Hands” is a collaborative effort between the Ronald McDonald House and Hofstra’s School of Communication students Christopher Cosentino, Diane Hashimoto, Alexandra Kuppler, Robert Madden, Juliet Morris and Kayley Oshan.  The program, which was created by the six students in their Public Relations Campaigns course, is a new community volunteer effort which encourages children between the ages of eight and 13 to volunteer their time to help other children.

“The program will not only serve to teach children at a young age the importance of volunteering, it will help them become capable and caring young leaders of the future,” said Executive Director of the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island Bob Weitzner.

The students created the campaign with the ultimate goal of increasing awareness for the Ronald McDonald House and also increasing the organization’s volunteer base.

"I am very proud of my students", said Adjunct Professor at Hofstra University's School of Communication Yanique Woodall.  “They have created a very strong integrated communications program for the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island.  I believe this hands-on experience will benefit their careers for many years to come."

The program provides local schools and youth organizations the opportunity to create unique ways to help families in need of support. For more information about the program visit www.rmhlongisland.org. 

Hofstra University is a dynamic private institution where students can choose from more than 140 undergraduate and 155 graduate programs in liberal arts and sciences, business, communication, education and allied human services, and honors studies, as well as a School of Law. The Hofstra community is driven, dynamic and energetic, helping students find and focus their strengths to prepare them for a successful future.