WASHINGTON, D.C.- President George W. Bush was joined today by Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of the USA Freedom Corps Desiree Sayle to honor the 2005 National Big Brother and Big Sister of the Year in the Oval Office of the White House. Big Brother Tom Taylor, a retired NASA engineer from Huntsville, Utah and Big Sister Linda Nelson, a Great Falls, Montana teacher were joined by Little Brother David Gessel and Little Sister Patty Jo Keatts.

“In answering President Bush’s Call to Service, Tom and Linda helped two young people learn what it meant to have a loving, caring adult in their life,” said Sayle. “Both are outstanding examples of American volunteerism.”

Tom, 69, has mentored David of Kaysville, Utah, for more than eight years with weekly contacts, family vacations, and a steadying influence. At the time of their match, both of David’s parents were incarcerated. A Florida native, Tom worked at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center outside Washington D.C. for 30 years before moving to Utah in 1996.

Linda, 52, is an award winning first grade teacher who has been matched with Patty Jo since 1999. Patty Jo, who comes from a single parent home, praised her Big Sister for helping her gain confidence through affirmation. Even after battling diabetes and breast cancer, Linda has been a courageous and inspirational mentor to five girls in the Great Falls area over the past 25 years.

In his January 2002 State of the Union Address, President Bush called on every American to dedicate two years or 4,000 hours over the course of their lives to volunteer service. To help more Americans engage in volunteer service, he created USA Freedom Corps, an Office of the White House charged with strengthening and expanding volunteer service. Americans are responding to the President’s Call to Service. Studies show that approximately 5 million more Americans are volunteering today than just three years ago. Go to www.usafreedomcorps.gov or call 1-877-USA-CORPS to find an existing volunteer service opportunity in your area or to find more information about service programs. USA Freedom Corps is also highlighting youth volunteer service. Visit www.usafreedomcorpskids.gov for ideas designed to show how America's youth can make a difference.

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