President George W. Bush will meet Amy Bickel when he arrives in Des Moines, Iowa, on Tuesday, August 31, 2004. Bickel is an active volunteer with the Central Iowa Young Women’s Leadership Institute, a program designed to help high school girls develop strong leadership skills and a commitment to community service.

President Bush has called on all Americans to volunteer two years or 4,000 hours over the course of their lifetimes, and hecreated USA Freedom Corpsto help foster a culture of service, citizenship, and responsibility. Since March 2002, President Bush has met with more than 300 individuals around the country, like Bickel, who are answering the call to volunteer service.

Three years ago, Bickel co-founded the institute, which encourages mentoring meetings once a week between girls and prominent local women who serve as mentors and role models in leadership and service. Bickel is also a facilitator for United Way’s Youth Leadership Initiative, a nine-month leadership program to familiarize high school students with opportunities for leadership in their area. For the past two years, Bickel has been a consultant for Goodwill Industries National Network of Volunteers helping to attract and recruit young people in volunteer service. Bickel also volunteers for Goodwill Industries annual holiday parties and staffs their information booths at the Iowa State Fair.

Through 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 at www.usafreedomcorps.gov or by calling 1-877-USA-CORPS.

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