New Study: Teens Now Nearly Twice As Likely to Donate Money to Charity

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Apr 22, 2010, 09:00 ET

Disasters in Haiti and Chile Making American Teens More Aware of the Needs of Others

Hundreds of Thousands of American Youth Respond

World Vision's 30-Hour Famine, April 23rd, 24th

SEATTLE, April 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Recent earthquakes in Haiti and Chile have brought devastation, death and left thousands homeless, but according to a new study commissioned by World Vision, most U.S. parents of teens say their teenagers are now more aware of the needs of others because of these natural disasters. The survey, conducted by phone by Harris Interactive, examines parents' perceptions of their teenagers.

Compared to last year, parents are nearly twice as likely (46 percent in 2010 vs. 26 percent in 2009) to report that their teens support charitable causes by donating money despite fewer parents (39 percent in 2009 vs. 26 percent this year) reporting that their teen spends his or her free time at a part-time job. According to parents, volunteering time at a "fasting event" such as World Vision's 30 Hour Famine remains the number one way (61 percent in 2010 and 56 percent in 2009) teens support charitable causes.

"I'm encouraged but not surprised", says Pat Rhoads, World Vision's 30-Hour Famine National Program Manager. Rhoads says, "This generation is more aware of the needs of others than most give them credit for. These findings are especially encouraging in this tight economy." By participating in 30-Hour Famine, hundreds of thousands of American teens will also put a human face on the untold suffering of the Global Food Crisis. And youth will be helping those hardest-hit by the recession here at home as they participate in community service projects (at food banks, soup kitchens and homeless shelters).

Money from 30HF goes to Haiti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Uganda, Sudan, Mauritania, Pakistan, Zambia, Zimbabwe and where famine, conflict and other crises make children vulnerable.

World Vision has been working in Haiti for more than thirty years. This year, 30HF funds will be spent on long-term needs in Haiti such as food to children, mothers and HIV-positive adults, fruit trees, irrigation, construction of new clinics (serving 55,000), a new pharmacy, immunizations and more.

Since 1992, students have raised more than $130 million worldwide. In 2009, 30HF raised close to $11 million. This year's goal: $12 million. World Vision works in nearly 100 countries, helping approximately 100 million people. Visit www.30hourfamine.org or call 800-7-FAMINE for more information

The poll was conducted by telephone by Harris Interactive on behalf of World Vision, an international Christian relief and development organization, between April 9th and 12th 2010 among 1,012 U.S. adults ages 18 +, of whom, 137 are the parent or legal guardian of a child ages 13 to 18 years old. For complete methodology, including weighing variables, please contact John Yeager.

About World Vision – World Vision is a Christian relief and development organization dedicated to helping children and their communities worldwide reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty. World Vision serves the world's poor regardless of a person's religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. For more information, visit www.worldvision.org.

SOURCE World Vision U.S.