FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, April 21, 2004
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The White House - USA Freedom Corps
Contact: Erik Hotmire 202-456-7381 |
Director of the USA Freedom Corps Discusses Volunteer Service on "Ask the White House" |
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Welcome
to "Ask the White House" -- an online interactive forum where you can submit
questions to Administration officials and friends of the White House.
Visit the
"Ask the White House" archives to read other discussions with White House
officials.
Desiree Sayle
Hi, it's great to be on Ask the White House today to celebrate National
Volunteer Week. I look forward to taking your questions.
Jessica, from New Haven, CT writes:
Have you met the President? How does he feel about volunteering?
Desiree Sayle
Great question Jessica, Yes, I've met the President, he’s a strong leader and
I’m honored to be a member of his staff. The President is committed to volunteer
service, which is why he created USA Freedom Corps at the White House and issued
his Call to Service - a call for every American to dedicate two years or 4,000
hours over the course of their lifetime to volunteer service.
Helen, from Los Angeles, CA writes:
I thought volunteering about about helping other people and donating your time,
not about awards and getting recognized. I always find it funny when volunteers
receive awards when they are "supposed" to be doing it to help others not for
their own achievement. Then people put it on their resume, as a resume builder.
Can you respond to this?
Desiree Sayle
Volunteers do help the organizations and people they serve. Recent studies show
that individuals don’t volunteer because they were never asked. The purpose of
the President’s Volunteer Service Award is to recognize the millions of
volunteers who are helping out in their communities. Those volunteers serve as
an example to others. By recognizing them, we seek to inspire those volunteers
to ask their family and friends to serve and energize others.
Barbara, from Long Island writes:
How is giving money different from volunteering? volunteering sounds like too
much of a committment.
Desiree Sayle
Many organizations need man-hours as much as they need financial resources. On
average, one hour of volunteer time is worth the equivalent of twenty dollars to
the organization. Volunteering can be a commitment, but I believe that if you
make a commitment to a project or an organization that is special to you, you
will find that it is extremely rewarding and worth every bit of time of time you
can spare. Thank you Barbara.
Eddie, from GA writes:
When is the last time you volunteered?
Desiree Sayle
Eddie, good question, I have been a long time volunteer with a number of
different organizations. I’ve mentored, participated in walk-a-thons and I’m
currently volunteering with a local non-profit. This past Sunday, I helped build
a playground for a non-profit child care center in the Anacostia neighborhood of
Washington, D.C. alongside representatives from AmeriCorps*NCCC, The Home Depot,
KaBOOM!, Commerce Secretary Don Evans, White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card
and other White House staff members.
Kenny, from AZ writes:
I volunteered once, and had a good time, but it took up my whole spring break.
What else could I do to help others?
Desiree Sayle
Great job, Kenny! I’m glad to learn that your spring break was a rewarding
volunteer experience. Of course there are other opportunities that don’t require
as much of a time commitment. Everyone can do something and we have a lot of
opportunities on our website at
www.usafreedomcorps.gov. that will fit your schedule.
Kelly, from OK writes:
Do you watch American Idol? If so, who do you want to win?
Desiree Sayle
I watch sometimes – the guy with the red hair would get my vote.
Alison, from Cleveland writes:
How can young people get involved? I'm 14 and don't have a car and both my
parents work. I would like to volunteer, what other things can I do besides
doing something where I have to travel?
Desiree Sayle
Alison, there is plenty that you can do to help. See if your parents can help
you find an opportunity in your neighborhood or look on our website for ideas.
Some things that come to mind are helping an elderly neighbor, cleaning a park,
or raising funds for a local charity – your talents and enthusiasm are all that
are required. Keep track of your hours so that you can qualify for the
President’s Volunteer Service Award for kids.
Bonnie, from Hawaii writes:
Does the President or First Lady ever take time to volunteer? I know they are
busy, but so am I, so just wondering if they find the time.
Desiree Sayle
Hi Bonnie, yes, the President and Mrs. Bush are busy, but they do still find
time to volunteer because it’s something they believe in strongly. President
Bush has participated in two Habitat for Humanity builds and frequently
volunteers while he is on the road as he will this week in Maine and Florida.
Mrs. Bush also volunteers her time and recently helped out at Martha’s Table, a
local food bank.
Don, from NY writes:
What is the difference between Freedom Corps, Americorps and Citizencorps?
Desiree Sayle
USA Freedom Corps is a coordinating council at the White House established by
the President to help Americans answer his Call to Service. AmeriCorps is a
domestic service corps that engages more than 50,000 Americans each year in
intensive service to meet critical needs in education, public safety, health,
and the environment. AmeriCorps members tutor and mentor youth, build affordable
housing, teach computer skills, clean parks and streams, run after-school
programs, and help communities respond to disasters. CitizenCorps is a new
program established shortly after 9-11 and designed to help educate Americans
and train volunteers to help in the event of a natural disaster or homeland
security threat
Deanna, from St. Paul writes:
Can you tell me the history behind National Volunteer Appreciation week?
Did the White House declare the observance? When? Why?
I would like to provide this information to our organization's volunteers as
a way of contextualizing the honor.
Thank you.
Desiree Sayle
Great question, Deanna. The President proclaimed April 18 – 24, 2004 as National
Volunteer Week – a time set aside to recognize the efforts of the nearly 64
million Americans who volunteer and to encourage other to answer the President’s
Call to Service. The week was first proclaimed by President Richard Nixon and
every president since then.
Click here to read this year’s National Volunteer Week proclamation.
Richard, from Alexandria, VA writes:
Desiree, you are doing such a great job. How can a senior citizen get involved
on a part time basis? Love, Dad
Desiree Sayle
Hi Dad. Seniors are among the Nation’s most valuable volunteers because they
bring their life experiences to their volunteer service. Last year there were
over 500,000 SeniorCorps volunteers additionally, seniors serve in the Peace
Corps and in AmericCorp*VISTA. In addition to these national volunteer
opportunities, many local organizations are looking for talent and flexible
time. Check out our website at
www.usafreedomcorps.gov for more information or call me tonight at home.
Stacy, from Norman, Oklahoma writes:
How involved does the President actually get with freedom corps? Not to be
skeptical, but I haven't seen much involvement.
Desiree Sayle
He is very involved. As an example, every time he travels outside the
Washington, D.C. area, President Bush meets with a USA Freedom Corps greeter, an
individual who has demonstrated exemplary volunteer service in their community.
President Bush has met with over 270 volunteers since the inception of USA
Freedom Corps. Additionally, the President thanks the greeter for their service
to America in almost every speech.
Visit our website for information about our greeters and the President’s
involvement with our office.
Ed, from Dallas, Texas writes:
My wife and I would like to volunteer to work in out community, but don't have a
great idea of what sort of options there are for us to do. What is the best way
to determine what charity needs volunteers the most? We don't want to wind up
helping one organization that may not need us as much as another.
Desiree Sayle
Great question, in your area, you can contact the Volunteer Center of North
Texas 214-826-6767. Julie Thomas who runs the center is a member of the
President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation. The center will be able
to give you qualitative information about volunteer opportunities in Dallas. You
should also
look at our website. A few key things to remember when you’re looking for a
volunteer opportunity – find things that you are passionate about, be realistic
about your commitment, and ask friends to share their volunteer experiences.
Brandon, from South Haven Elementary School writes:
Do you know who ran against James K. Polk for president?
Desiree Sayle
Am I giving you the answer to your homework? In the 1844 campaign, the Whigs
nominated Henry Clay!
Desiree Sayle
It's been a pleasure to answer your questions today - please visit the USA
Freedom Corps website for additional information about the President's volunteer
initiative and service opportunities. Everyone can do something to help in their
communities! Also, visit Ask the White House on Friday to chat with a member of
the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation producer and actor
Sean Astin from The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Rudy, and The Goonies, etc.
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