President George W. Bush will meet Candido Corona upon arrival in Tampa, Florida, on Sunday, February 15, 2004. Corona has volunteered each year with Paint Your Heart Out Tampa since 1998.

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

For the past six years, Corona has been an active volunteer with Paint Your Heart Out Tampa, an annual event held every April that invites citizens, businesses and local organizations to volunteer and help paint homes for low-income, elderly citizens living in the Tampa area. Each year, Corona serves as a team leader and works with homeowners to evaluate specific needs, determines if any repair work needs to be done prior to painting and supervises volunteers during the day of service. Corona and his team of volunteers also report additional needed repairs to local organizations that are able to provide follow-up assistance for elderly homeowners after the event is over. Throughout the year, Corona continues to work with senior residents in his community, helping with painting repairs as needed. Corona also volunteers with the United Way of America and has served as a team captain during the annual American Heart Association Heart Walk for the past eight years.

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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