FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sunday, April 18, 2004
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The White House - USA Freedom Corps
Contact: Erik Hotmire 202-456-7381 |
White House Staff Volunteer to Help Kick Off National Volunteer Week with Playground Build in Washington, D.C. |
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WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Secretary Andrew Card, White House Chief of Staff, joined
with Department of Commerce Secretary Don Evans and other members of President
George W. Bush's Administration today for a playground build in southeast
Washington, D.C., in celebration of National Volunteer Week. The Administration
staffers, their friends, and family members were joined by members of the
community, AmeriCorps members, and representatives of KaBOOM!, The Home Depot,
and the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation as they helped
build a playground for the Children of Mine Center in Anacostia, VA.
“Because of the efforts of the volunteers here today, children in this
neighborhood will have a safe place to play,” White House Chief of Staff Andrew
Card said. “The commitment of so many organizations and individuals involved
with this playground build has made a difference in the lives of children in
this community. When President Bush issued his Call to Service in 2002 and
created the USA Freedom Corps, this is exactly the kind of effort he
envisioned.”
National Volunteer Week, April 18-24, is organized by the Points of Light
Foundation as a special time to recognize and celebrate America’s volunteers.
This year’s National Volunteer Week theme, “Volunteers Inspire by Example,”
reminds us that volunteers inspire the people they help, and they inspire others
to become involved. A particular emphasis of this year’s celebration is the
President’s Volunteer Service Award, which was established through the
President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation as a way to recognize the
multitude of volunteers who are strengthening our country. Today, the Award was
presented to Hannah Hawkins, Director and founder of Children of Mine, Darell
Hammond, CEO and co-founder of KaBOOM!, Ericka Dunlap, Miss America 2004, and a
local family in recognition of their volunteer service. The Award is available
to people of all ages who meet volunteer hour requirements. For more information
about the Award, please visit
www.presidentialserviceawards.org.
"During National Volunteer Week, Americans across the country are being
recognized for dedicating their time to meeting important community needs,"
Desiree Sayle, Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of the USA Freedom
Corps said. "I am pleased to be a part of National Volunteer Week, and hope that
more individuals will be recognized for their important work in their
communities. I also hope that more Americans will become involved by serving in
their communities.”
The playground build was sponsored by 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! 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, children who are served by the
Children of Mine Center will now have a safe place to play.
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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