President George W. Bush will meet Annie Wignall when he arrives in Des Moines, Iowa, Friday. In his State of the Union address, President Bush called on all Americans to dedicate at least two years of their lives—the equivalent of 4,000 hours—in service to their communities, our country and the world. President Bush is recognizing individuals around the country who are answering the call to service, and will recognize Wignall as an example of the dedication to service he is hoping to instill in all Americans through his USA Freedom Corps initiative.

Wignall is a thirteen year-old who two years ago founded the Care Bags Foundation to collect and distribute clothes, toys and personal care items to children who are victims of abuse or neglect. Wignall has filled approximately 100 bags per month with donated items to help children and teens in need. Earlier this year, Seventeen magazine and Cover Girl honored Wignall for her work with Care Bags Foundation.

Wignall also volunteers in her church nursery, with "New Kids on the Block," an organization that produces skits for elementary school children to help them understand physical and mental disabilities, and Builders Club, an organization that sponsors community beautification projects.

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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