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Clintons, Volunteers Kick Off Global Initiative Meeting In Denver

DENVER (CBS4) - Bill and Chelsea Clinton's appearance at charity events Sunday helped draw nearly 300 volunteers who lent hands to several projects.

"We're so grateful for the warm welcome we've received," Chelsea Clinton told CBS4, "and we want to make sure we're giving something back to the community."

Gov. John Hickenlooper and Sen. Michael Bennet also welcomed volunteers. The event kicked off the Clinton Global Initiative in Denver, a three-day event starting Monday. The CGI's broad goals include bringing together global leaders to solve the world's problems.

The first volunteer event Sunday was for Denver-based Project C.U.R.E., which ships needed medical supplies around the globe and reaches families in more than 130 countries.

"We only have a staff of about 25 people all over the world on paid staff. We have 17,000 volunteers, so this really is a volunteer drive organization from the grassroots," Douglas Jackson, Project C.U.R.E.'s president, said. "So, without those people, this doesn't happen."

On Sunday, volunteers helped prepare that group's packages for Kenya.

Later, at a Boys and Girls Club event, volunteers planted trees and worked on a community garden. Another group at a Habitat For Humanity site was encouraged by a visit from President Clinton.

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