President George W. Bush will meet June Roberts when he arrives in Parkersburg, West Virginia, on Tuesday, April 5, 2005. Roberts is an active volunteer with Senior Stitchers, a component of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (R.S.V.P.).

Roberts founded the Senior Stitchers program in 2001 to enable seniors to create sewing and craft projects, including wheelchair pads, blankets, and chemotherapy hats, for local hospitals, child services agencies, and nursing homes. In addition, each week Roberts visits seniors at a local nursing home, and organizes the clothes closet for Try-Again Homes, a local facility for at-risk youth. She is also an active volunteer at Bible Baptist Church in Parkersburg. To thank them for taking the time to make a difference in the lives of others, President Bush has met with more than 400 individuals around the country, like Roberts, since March 2002.

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, including national service programs such as the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, and Citizen Corps.  USA Freedom Corps is also highlighting youth volunteer service.  Visit www.usafreedomcorpskids.gov for games and ideas designed to show how America's youth are making a difference.

The President's Volunteer Service Award was created at the President’s direction by the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation.  The Award is available to youth ages 14 and under who have completed 50 or more hours of volunteer service; to individuals 15 and older who have completed 100 or more hours; and to families or groups who have completed 200 or more hours.  For more information about the Award, please visit www.presidentialserviceawards.gov.

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