President George W. Bush will meet Leslie Gagne upon arrival in Columbus, Ohio, on Thursday, October 30, 2003. Gagne has been an active volunteer with the Special Olympics and the Central Ohio Diabetes Association.

Earlier this year, President Bush celebrated the first anniversary of the USA Freedom Corps – his initiative to engage all Americans in service to their neighbors and their nation. President Bush is recognizing individuals around the country, like Gagne, who are answering the call to volunteer service.

Since 1998, Gagne has volunteered with the Special Olympics chapter in Franklin County. There, she teaches individuals with developmental disabilities how to snow ski and serves as a chaperone for Special Olympics athletes during the Special Olympics Summer Games held each year at Ohio State University. For the past 18 years, Gagne has also volunteered with the Central Ohio Diabetes Association. In this capacity, Gagne helps plan programs for young people living with diabetes and volunteers at their annual youth summer camp.

President Bush created the USA Freedom Corps office at the White House to foster a culture of service, citizenship and responsibility. Through the USA Freedom Corps, President Bush wants to help every American answer the call to volunteer 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 opportunities in their own neighborhoods through the USA Freedom Corps web site at www.usafreedomcorps.gov or by calling 1-877-USA-CORPS.

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