President George W. Bush will meet Maria Konold-Soto upon arrival in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Tuesday, November 25, 2003. Soto is an active volunteer with the Medical Reserve Corps unit in Las Vegas.

Earlier this year, President Bush celebrated the first anniversary of the USA Freedom Corps – his initiative to engage all Americans in service to their neighbors and their nation. President Bush is recognizing individuals around the country, like Konold-Soto, who are answering the call to volunteer service.

Konold-Soto, born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, is an active volunteer with the Medical Reserve Corps. Medical Reserve Corps, a component of Citizen Corps, coordinates practicing and retired physicians, nurses and other health professionals who are willing to volunteer during emergency situations. As a volunteer, Konold-Soto recruits pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in the Las Vegas area to join Medical Reserve Corps and use their medical skills to benefit their community. Konold-Soto also volunteers with Trauma Intervention Programs, Inc., helping to provide emotional support services to individuals or families coping with a recent traumatic event or crisis situation. Since 1999, Konold-Soto has volunteered with Nevada Child Seekers, a non-profit organization dedicated to locating missing, abducted and runaway children.

President Bush created the USA Freedom Corps office at the White House to foster a culture of service, citizenship and responsibility. Through the USA Freedom Corps, President Bush wants to help every American answer the call to volunteer service by strengthening and expanding service opportunities to protect our homeland, support our communities and extend American compassion around the world. Interested volunteers can find opportunities in their own neighborhoods through the USA Freedom Corps web site at www.usafreedomcorps.gov or by calling 1-877-USA-CORPS.

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