International News
One NOBLE Member's Successful Outreach Effort in Liberia
By Phillip Stewart
Feb 2, 2007 - 12:35:54 PM

Willi Ellison

NOBLE member Willi Ellison is a Deputy Program Manager for PAE-HSC Civpol, an International Police Program run by Pacific Architects & Engineers (PAE) and Homeland Security Corporation (HSC), assigned to Liberia.

Illustrating PAE’s core values of empathy and initiative, many employees throughout the world are finding ways to help their local communities above and beyond their daily roles. This independent initiative is exemplified in the efforts of PAE-HSC Joint Venture employees to bring school supplies, food, and toys to the children of Liberia in conjunction with the U.S. Marine Corps’ “Toys for Tots” Program during the Christmas holiday season.

        
Liberia is one of the poorest countries in the world with 80% of the population living below the poverty line. The civil war left thousands of orphans and local organizations struggling to provide supplies and education.  

        
Currently, PAE-HSC provides in-country program support for the U.S. contingent of civilian police officers working with the UN Mission in Liberia (CivPol-UNMIL), as well support for the bi-lateral U.S./Liberia Justice Sector Support Program (JSSL) in aid of the Liberian legal system.

For the second year running, members of PAE-HSC programs, led by Deputy Program Manager, Willi Ellison, have volunteered their free time in aid of the “Toys for Tots” Program. This year, the group worked to improve and expand upon the previous year’s accomplishments.

Early in the fall of 2006, Ellison and others helped form an advisory committee to involve local community members in the planning process. In November 2006, PAE-HSC hosted the 2nd annual Toys for Tots Charity Golf Tournament in Harbel, Liberia in an effort to raise $30,000 US. 

         
Members of the CivPol and JSSL teams donated over $1500 from their personal accounts, in addition to the countless hours volunteered to make the event a success.  The two day event involved playful competition on the golf course, a silent auction, and a raffle for various prizes. 

Children at a local orphanage

         
The original fundraising goal was met and exceeded, with $65,000 in cash and in-kind donations received. The collected proceeds were used to support 20 orphanages and community-based organizations in every county of Liberia.

As a result of the drive, over 4,000 children received school supplies, new toys, food, clothing, and medicine. Many of the children had never owned a toy prior to this event.

Organizers of the drive received recognition for their efforts from the Immanuel Baptist Church and Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, the President of Liberia.

Willi Ellison receiving certificate of recognition from local community church leader

If you would like to help support this effort please e-mail Willi at: aidliberia@noblenational.net.