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. It was 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. Today, President Eisenhower's granddaughter Mary Jean Eisenhower serves as president and chief executive officer.
• PTPI made its home in Kansas City. Missouri in 1961 with the assistance of Hallmark Cards founder Joyce C. Hall. This is where its World Headquarters remain today. PTPI also has offices in Berlin, Germany; and Cairo, Egypt.
• PTPI, a not-for-profit 501(c)(3), 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.
• Through our chapter network, members and programs, PTPI has a presence in 135 countries with more than 80,000 families and individuals involved.
• PTPI operates a variety of worldwide educational, cultural, and humanitarian programs, such as: 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 (Forrest Gump, CSI: New York) and author Laura Hillenbrand (Seabiscuit: An American Legend). To date, more than 200,000 school supply kits have been distributed to the children of Iraq, Djbouti, Afghanistan and other countries.
• Since 2002, PTPI has been involved in the effort to eradicate landmines around the world. Due to the outpouring of aid from around the world, PTPI has supported the removal of more than 1,500 mines and UXO 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 employed at the schools.
• 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.