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NEWS RELEASE

June 30, 2009

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Ulman, Virgin Mobile USA and Merriweather Post Pavilion Announce a “Summer of Service”

ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Ken Ulman, along with representatives from Virgin Mobile USA and Merriweather Post Pavilion, announced today a unique summer volunteer service program that will give individuals a chance to earn tickets to the recently “freed-out” Virgin Mobile FreeFest. The program, entitled the “Summer of Service” (SOS), is a summer-long volunteer program that gives individuals a chance to serve the community in exchange for a ticket to FreeFest, this summer’s hottest concert.

Virgin Mobile USA and Merriweather Post Pavilion have generously donated free tickets to Howard County for the August 30th freed-out show. Ulman has decided that the Summer of Service program should extend beyond the Howard County border and so the County has reached out to volunteer centers that serve the State of Maryland. The County will work with volunteer centers that wish to participate.

“I want to thank Virgin Mobile USA and Merriweather for their generosity. This is a great opportunity for people who want to attend the concert to earn a ticket while they make a difference in their local communities,” said Ulman.

In Howard County the programs will range from cleaning up parks, to working in senior centers, to volunteering for special projects submitted by non-profit organizations that serve the County. Ulman was recently contacted by the American Red Cross in Maryland which is in desperate need for blood donors. In response, Ulman has now set aside 400 tickets for individuals who donate blood at designated sites set up for the Summer of Service program.

“The need for blood is constant, yet the summer months can be one of the most difficult times of the year to maintain an adequate blood supply. By providing these tickets, County Executive Ulman is giving us an opportunity to show our gratitude and say an extra ‘thank you’ to those who make it a priority to give blood,” said Gary J. Ouellette, Chief Executive Officer, American Red Cross Greater Chesapeake and Potomac Region.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Information regarding the Summer of Service can be found online now at: sos.howardcountymd.gov

On July 2, 2009 at noon, the Summer of Service program will begin accepting volunteers for the Howard County program. Those interested in registering for SOS must be 18+ years of age, and can only sign-up ONLINE; once again, the address is: sos.howardcountymd.gov

Information for those interested in Summer of Service volunteer projects being held around the state.

In two weeks (July 13, 2009 at noon) we will issue a press release with specific information on when and where citizens can go to volunteer for the statewide Summer of Service projects. Registration and sign-up for those programs will begin on July 14, 2009.