President George W. Bush will meet Nathaniel Foster upon arrival in Knoxville, Tennessee, on Thursday, January 8, 2004. Foster has been an active volunteer with 100 Black Men of Greater Knoxville, Inc. for the past ten years.

Later this month, the USA Freedom Corps – President Bush’s initiative to engage all Americans in service to their neighbors and their nation – will celebrate its second anniversary. President Bush is recognizing individuals around the country, like Foster, who are answering the call to volunteer service.

Foster has been an active volunteer in the Knoxville community for 25 years. In 1994, Foster helped to charter the Knoxville chapter of 100 Black Men of America, Inc., a non-profit organization that improves the lives of young African American men through mentoring, health and wellness, education and economic development. Foster organizes monthly workshops for the mentees, including speakers from the community representing different professions and discussions about history, etiquette, finances and health issues that affect youth such as drugs and smoking. Throughout the year, Foster organizes college tours for the mentees, planning all details of the visit and assisting with raising funds to pay for the trips and the mentees college tuition. In 2000, Foster started a tutoring program at Lennon Seney United Methodist Church in Knoxville for the young men in the mentor program, as well as other students in the community who need additional assistance with math, science or Spanish class, and he continues to tutor students in math two nights each week. Throughout the year, Foster also helps to organize community service opportunities for the mentees. Most recently, the young men volunteered delivering 100 baskets of food to the elderly and disabled during the holiday season.

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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