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People to People International Quick Facts
- PTPI was established by U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower on September 11, 1956 at a news conference held at the Red Cross Building in Washington D.C. PTPI was then called the President's People to People Program.
- PTPI's illustrious history includes support from the likes of Walt Disney, Joyce C. Hall, Bob Hope, Charles M. Schulz, Rafer Johnson and dynamic leaders representing countries around the world.
- PTPI made its home in Kansas City, Missouri in 1961 with assistance from Hallmark Cards founder, Joyce C. Hall. This is where its World Headquarters remains today. PTPI also has offices in Berlin, Germany and Cairo, Egypt.
- As a not-for-profit, nongovernmental organization, PTPI enhances international understanding and friendship through educational, cultural and humanitarian activities involving the exchange of ideas and experiences directly among peoples of different countries and diverse cultures.
- PTPI has a presence in 135 countries with more than 80,000 families and individuals involved in its chapter network, membership and programs.
- PTPI operates a variety of worldwide educational, cultural, and humanitarian programs, including: Awards Program; Citizen Ambassador Program; the Committee on Disability; Community, University and Student Chapters; EXPERIENCE Travel Programs; Global Landmine Initiative; Global Peace Initiatives; Global Youth Forum; Humanitarian and Educational Initiatives; IMPACT Travel Programs; International Visitors Program; Meet the Diplomats Program; Peace Camp; School and Classroom Program; Student Ambassador Program; Student Scholarships and Loans; and Worldwide Conferences.
- PTPI administers Operation International Children (http://www.operationinternationalchildren.org/), an organization founded by actor Gary Sinise (CSI: New York, Forrest Gump) and author Laura Hillenbrand (Seabiscuit: An American Legend). To date, more than 300,000 school supply kits have been distributed to the children of Iraq, Afghanistan and other countries.
- Since 2002, PTPI has been involved in the effort to eradicate landmines around the world. Due to an outpouring of aid from PTPI members around the world, PTPI has supported the removal of more than 2,400 mines and unexploded ordnance in Sri Lanka and Cambodia.
- PTPI lent additional support to Sri Lanka after the tsunami of 2004, contributing donated funds for three new schools and the salaries of the teachers that they employ. More recently, PTPI support includes funding mobile medical clinics and nutrition programs.
- In 2006, PTPI was proud to celebrate its 50-year anniversary of promoting Peace through Understanding. Members commemorated the event throughout the year and the celebration was marked by the 2006 Worldwide Conference in Sydney, Australia.