President George W. Bush will meet with members of Girl Scout Troop #272 upon arrival at the Tri-Cities Airport in Pasco, Washington on Friday, August 22, 2003. Each of these young girls participates in several volunteer service activities each year.

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 who are answering the call to volunteer service and will recognize these young girls as examples of the dedication to service he is hoping to instill in all Americans through his USA Freedom Corps initiative.

For the past four years, Troop #272 has helped brighten the lives of homebound seniors served by the Meals on Wheels program by giving them homemade gifts during the Christmas season.

In December 2002, each member of Troop #272 decorated more than 30 flower pots and planted flowers in each to be given as gifts. At the same time, Troop #272 also decorated shoe boxes and filled them with small gifts to be sent to young boys and girls living in Africa through a program administered by Samaritan’s Purse. Most recently, Troop #272 participated in “Cookies from Home, Notes from America,” selling boxes of Girl Scout cookies in their community that were sent to American soldiers deployed overseas.

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. This summer, the USA Freedom Corps is helping individuals, families, and groups find opportunities to volunteer in their own neighborhoods or on vacations away from home through the new “How I Spent My Summer” initiative. More information on these opportunities is available at www.usafreedomcorps.gov or by calling 1-877-USA-CORPS.

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