President George W. Bush will meet Ron Strauss upon arrival in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Thursday, June 19, 2003. Since joining Cargill, Incorporated in 1994, Strauss has been an active volunteer in the Minneapolis community.

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 Strauss, who are answering the call to volunteer service.

Between 1997 and 2003, Strauss served on the Cargill Cares Volunteer Council (CCVC), an employee-led council which partners with local nonprofit organizations to engage employees in meaningful volunteer service opportunities in the Twin Cities area. Strauss volunteers as part of the Cargill annual volunteer fair for employees, inviting local nonprofit and community service organizations to their headquarters office to educate, inform, and recruit volunteers. In 1997 and 1998, Strauss participated in the Family Read To Me Program, reading to students and organizing arts and craft activities for children and their families during after school hours. Since 1995, Strauss has also volunteered with Special Olympics Minnesota, coordinating competitions during annual summer and fall games.

President Bush created the USA Freedom Corps office at the White House to foster an American culture of service, citizenship and responsibility. Through the USA Freedom Corps, President Bush wants to help every American answer the call to 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 information on the USA Freedom Corps at www.usafreedomcorps.gov or by calling 1-877-USA-CORPS.

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