Boomers joining the Peace Corps

WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 (UPI) -- The U.S. Peace Corps has seen a 50-percent increase in the number of applications from people over the age of 50 since last September.

Corps spokeswoman Josie Duckett attributes the hike to an Internet marketing campaign targeted at the 78 million Americans born between 1946 and 1964, USA Today reported Wednesday.

The title of the campaign -- "Still Asking What You Can Do for Your Country?" -- was meant to resonate with baby boomers who grew up during the Kennedy administration, says Duckett.

Typical among the new recruits is Bonnie Jean Campbell, 57, of Port Huron, Mich. who told USA Today she toyed with the idea of joining the Peace Corps before getting married and having children.

With her children grown, Campbell will be leaving for Sept. 20 Azerbaijan.

Even those past the boomer age are signing up. Michael Fieman, 77, of Olympia. Wash. will be headed to Macedonia in late September, USA Today said.