President George W. Bush will meet Thom Ricks upon arrival in San Antonio, Texas on Thursday, October 30, 2003. Ricks has been an active volunteer with Rebuilding Together for nearly ten years.

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, like Ricks, who are answering the call to volunteer service.

In 1994, Ricks helped establish the San Antonio affiliate of Rebuilding Together, a nonprofit organization that provides home rehabilitation to low-income home owners, particularly the elderly, the disabled and families with children. Ricks has volunteered in several capacities, serving as both president and vice president of their board of directors and chairman of their house selection committee. Ricks has served as a “house captain” for nearly ten years, where he is responsible for all hands-on repairs performed at Rebuilding Together home sites, organizing materials for repair activities and coordinating volunteers at all different skill levels.

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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