President George W. Bush will meet Star Wallin when she arrives in Jackson, Mississippi on Wednesday. Wallin, who will begin college this fall, is the founder of Project Care, an organization that provides opportunities for young people to serve their community.

In his State of the Union address, President Bush called on all Americans to dedicate at least two years of their lives—the equivalent of 4,000 hours—in 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 Wallin as an example of the dedication to service he is hoping to instill in all Americans through his USA Freedom Corps initiative.

Wallin founded Project CARE (Compassion in Action creates a Ripple Effect of positive change) in 1999. The organization has matched 300 elementary school students with high school mentors, collected food, clothing and furniture for 23 impoverished families, helped to refurbish the grounds of local public schools, and helped to nurture and rehabilitate 70 abused and neglected animals.

A recent graduate of Hattiesburg High School, Wallin will attend Vanderbilt University as an Ingram Scholar. The scholarship program will provide Wallin with tuition, community service and leadership training, and a stipend to support her summer volunteer service.

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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