FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, June 11, 2003
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The White House - USA Freedom Corps
Contact: Kathleen Mynster
202-456-7381 |
President Bush to Recognize New Britain Senior for Dedication to Volunteer Service |
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President George W. Bush will meet Ruth Campanario upon arrival in New
Britain, Connecticut, on Thursday, June 12, 2003. Campanario has volunteered
with several local organizations through the Retired and Senior Volunteer
Program since 1990.
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 Campanario, who are answering the call to volunteer service.
Following her retirement in 1989, Campanario began volunteering by comforting
children at the UCONN Medical Center. Through the federally supported Retired
and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) in central Connecticut, Campanario was
matched with a local elementary school, where she worked with first-grade
students helping them with reading and spelling. For the past five years,
Campanario has volunteered at the Friendship Service Center, a local shelter
which offers emergency and transitional housing, job training and counseling
services. Campanario volunteers her time preparing and serving meals to families
and individuals at the shelter, and organizing packages of clothing and toys
given to children in need during the holiday season. Campanario also volunteers
her time at the St. Gerome Church Thrift Store in New Britain.
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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