President George W. Bush will meet Frank Brusino when he arrives in Buffalo, New York, on Tuesday, April 20, 2004. Brusino is an active volunteer with the Grand Island Citizen Corps Council.

Earlier this year, the USA Freedom Corps – President Bush’s initiative to engage all Americans in service to their neighbors and their nation by volunteering two years or 4,000 hours over the course of their lives – celebrated its second anniversary. Since January 2002, President Bush has met with more than 270 individuals around the country, like Brusino, who are answering the call to volunteer service.

After learning of the President’s Call to Service, Brusino helped to organize the Grand Island Citizen Corps Council to mobilize local volunteers to respond to emergencies, help develop emergency communication plans, help train schools on emergency procedures, and provide support to first responders. As the council's chair, Brusino also prepares the agenda for the monthly meeting, distributes information, and ensures that the members of the council are ready to assist in the event of an emergency. He also works to form partnerships with local agencies and organizations to improve community readiness and disaster preparedness. Additionally, Brusino coordinates the “Ready Grand Island Program,” which provides instructions on how to improve preparedness in the home.

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 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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