WASHINGTON – Business owners this summer can help young people develop new skills, give their employees opportunities to contribute to the quality of life in their communities, and renew civic pride among their customers by supporting USA Freedom Corps, said Hector V. Barreto, Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for business owners to take the lead in making a difference in their communities, a real chance to give back to the people who have supported your company,” said Barreto. “Supporting volunteerism at this level can improve the quality of local community services, and provide new talent and ideas to meet the needs of the community, which ultimately strengthens the local economy.”

Barreto said business owners can add the USA Freedom Corps link to their company’s Web site (www.usafreedomcorps.gov), providing an online resource for customers, employees and students about volunteer opportunities. The organization also has a public service announcement titled “Everyone Can Do Something,” available for distribution via print, television, radio and the Internet. Owners of retail businesses are encouraged to print the PSA and place it in a prominent spot. To order the PSA, call Hartford Direct at 1-800-933-7727 and ask for USA Freedom Corps kits, or go to http://adcouncil.org/campaigns/usa_freedom_corps/.

The USA Freedom Corps volunteer network provides information on more than 75,000 organizations nationwide and around the world in need of people to teach children to read, help communities prepare for disasters, or support local health screenings and blood drives.*

Founded by President Bush in January 2002, the USA Freedom Corps’ mission is to foster a culture of service, citizenship and responsibility. Under the USA Freedom Corps umbrella are the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, Learn, Serve America, and Citizen Corps.

As of August 6, more than 575 business organizations that employ nearly four million workers have joined Business Strengthening America, an initiative aimed at engaging employees and customers in volunteer service.*

Included on the USA Freedom Corps website are tips on how to foster community and employee involvement in volunteerism, as well as links to groups working to further the corporate sector’s interest in community service. For more information visit www.usafreedomcorps.gov, or call 1-877-872-2677.

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[* Corrected release]