President George W. Bush will meet Dr. Tom Hesch when he arrives in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Wednesday, August 11, 2004. Hesch, a dentist, is an active volunteer with Donated Dental Services (DDS) of New Mexico.

President Bush has called on all Americans to volunteer two years or 4,000 hours over the course of their lifetimes, and he created USA Freedom Corps to help foster a culture of service, citizenship, and responsibility. Since March 2002, President Bush has met with more than 300 individuals around the country, like Hesch, who are answering the call to volunteer service.

For the past three years, Hesch has donated over $18,000 in dental care to disadvantaged people in the Albuquerque area. DDS provides dental treatment to low income, elderly, or disabled individuals. Participating dentists volunteer their time and services and work with their own equipment, supplies, and staff. Hesch also participates in Albuquerque’s annual Give Kids a Smile Day, donating dental exams and treatment to needy children in the area. In addition, he is active with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training endurance sports program in which participants are coached to participate in a marathon, triathlon, or 100-mile bike ride in exchange for raising funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Hesch has completed two marathons.

USA Freedom Corps has launched “A Call to Summer Service,” an initiative to encourage Americans to spend a part of their summer in volunteer service. Through “A Call to Summer Service,” citizens are reminded that the summer months are an excellent time to answer the President’s Call to Service, strengthen their communities, and extend the compassion and greatness of America. Interested volunteers can find ideas for summer volunteering and information on how to get started at www.usafreedomcorps.gov.

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