President George W. Bush will meet Erin Bryant when he arrives in Springfield, Missouri, on Friday, October 18, 2002. Bryant has been an active member of the Student Community Action Team at Southwest Missouri State University, volunteering with local nonprofit organizations for the past three years.

In his State of the Union address, President Bush called on all Americans to dedicate at least two years over their lifetime to service to their communities, our country and the world. President Bush is recognizing individuals around the country who are answering the call to service and will recognize Bryant as an example of the dedication to service he is hoping to instill in all Americans through his USA Freedom Corps initiative.

Since her sophomore year in college, Bryant has served as part of the Student Community Action Team, a group that facilitates student volunteer service with area nonprofit organizations as part of their Federal Work-Study program. For two years, Bryant volunteered 15 hours each week with Ozark Greenways, assisting with trail maintenance, litter control and tree planting projects. Bryant is currently volunteering at the Dickerson Park Zoo, where she helps with public tours, youth service programs and assists zookeepers.

President Bush created the USA Freedom Corps office at the White House to foster an American culture of service, citizenship and responsibility. Through the USA Freedom Corps, President Bush wants to help every American answer the call to 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 information on the USA Freedom Corps at www.usafreedomcorps.gov or by calling 1-877-USA-Corps.

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