President George W. Bush will meet Carmen S. Parker upon arrival in Houston, Texas, on Saturday, July 19, 2003. Parker has been an active volunteer in the Houston area for more than 12 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 Parker, who are answering the call to volunteer service.

For the past 12 years, Parker has assisted with Volunteer Houston’s “A Visit from St. Nicholas” program, which provides backpacks filled with toys and books to thousands of disadvantaged children. Each year, Parker fills backpacks with toys and distributes them to selected schools and helps raise funds to support the program. Between 1998 and 2003, Parker served on the board of directors of the Houston Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, helping to raise funds for new facilities, and between 1991 and 1994 she served as president of the auxiliary board for Boys & Girls Harbor, a not-for-profit organization which provides shelter for children in crisis due to neglect, abandonment, abuse or family hardship.

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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