President George W. Bush will meet Joe McFadden when he arrives in El Dorado, Arkansas, on Tuesday, April 6, 2004. McFadden is an active volunteer with many organizations in the El Dorado area, including the Jaycees, Main Street El Dorado, the American Cancer Society, and the United Way of Union County.

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 – celebrated its second anniversary. Since January 2002, President Bush has met with more than 270 individuals around the country, like McFadden, who are answering the call to volunteer service.

McFadden is an active volunteer with the El Dorado Junior Chamber of Commerce, known as the Jaycees, an organization developed to promote community involvement and to foster fellowship among members through leadership training for individuals ages 21-39. McFadden participates in various activities hosted by the Jaycees, including the Easter egg hunt and soap box derby. He also volunteers with Main Street El Dorado, a group that is dedicated to the revitalization of downtown El Dorado. McFadden is the Promotions Chairman for the organization, and the main project they work on is the Musicfest, an event that takes place every October in which 15,000 to 20,000 people congregate in the downtown area and enjoy the music of more than 40 bands on three stages. In addition, McFadden volunteers with many other organizations including the American Cancer Society, the United Way of Union County, CARENET (services that assist seniors), the local hospice and the DeSoto area Council Boy Scouts of America.

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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