WASHINGTON, D.C. — Miss America 2003 Erika Harold, U.S. Commerce Secretary Don Evans and D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams joined more than 100 members of President Bush's White House staff today to kick off a playground build in southeast Washington D.C. as part of Make A Difference Day. The White House staffers, their friends and family members were among an estimated 3 million Americans across the country answering the President's Call to Service through Make A Difference Day projects in their communities.

Make A Difference Day is an annual nationwide day of service sponsored by USA WEEKEND Magazine and the Points of Light Foundation that enables business leaders, government officials, charitable organizations and individuals of all ages to volunteer in their communities. Approximately 2.2 million people volunteered through local service projects in 2001 in hundreds of communities across the country helping an estimated 25 million people.

"Through Make A Difference Day, millions of men, women and young people across the country are answering President Bush's Call to Service by dedicating their time to meeting important community needs," said John Bridgeland, Assistant to the President and Director of the USA Freedom Corps. "We are pleased to be a part of Make A Difference Day, and hope that more Americans will make lifelong commitments to volunteer service as a result of their participation in this nationwide day of service."

"I am honored to continue the Miss America tradition of participating in Make A Difference Day because it provides an opportunity to issue a national call to action to engage in the collective service of others," said Miss America 2003 Erika Harold.

The USA Freedom Corps office at The White House helped organize this playground build event with KaBOOM!, a nonprofit organization that specializes in linking communities and corporations together to build much-needed playgrounds in communities around the country. The build itself was made possible through The Home Depot's ongoing support of KaBOOM!, and The Home Depot CEO Robert Nardelli and other company leaders were among those who participated in the build. As a result of today's project, the almost 400 children who live within two blocks of Oxon Run Park will now have a safe place to play.

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