President George W. Bush will meet Kris Brown and Drucie Cole when he arrives in Houston, Texas, on Monday, March 8, 2004. Brown, a kicker with the Houston Texans, volunteers each month with the Texas Children’s Hospital. Cole also volunteers at the Texas Children’s Hospital visiting with patients each week.

Earlier this year, the USA Freedom Corps – President Bush’s initiative to engage all Americans in service to their neighbors and their nation – celebrated its second anniversary. Since January 2002, President Bush has met with more than 250 individuals around the country, like Brown and Cole, who are answering the call to volunteer service.

Inspired by his sister’s battle with cancer at a young age, Brown demonstrates his commitment both on and off the field by helping other families battling with cancer. In 2003, Brown launched Kris Brown’s Kick Club, a partnership program with Houston-area businesses to help raise money for the Texas Children’s Hospital. Each time Brown scores a point during the season, partner businesses, along with the Brown family, donate $250 to Kris Brown’s Kick Club. In 2003, Brown’s Kick Club raised more than $121,000 to benefit the Texas Children’s Hospital Charity Care Program which provides financial assistance to families facing overwhelming medical costs. Throughout the year, Brown also volunteers each month visiting with patients at Texas Children’s Hospital as well as speaking with students in Houston schools about the value of education and making positive choices for themselves.

Cole is also an active volunteer at the Texas Children’s Hospital. For the past ten years, she has volunteered one day each week as a “patient pal” for children staying at the hospital. In this role, Cole visits with children of all ages, rocking infants to sleep, playing games, reading books and helping patients with homework. Cole serves as a friendly companion to both patients and parents, providing comfort and reassurance when needed. Each week, Cole also serves as a parent volunteer at Lamar High School and St. John’s School in Houston.

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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