A Message from the Director

Friends of USA Freedom Corps,

Today, President Bush honored the fourth anniversary of USA Freedom Corps. Joining the President and myself in the Oval Office were David Eisner, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service, Gaddi H. Vasquez, Director of Peace Corps, and Liz DiGregorio, Director of Citizen Corps.

As many of you know, the President created USA Freedom Corps in his 2002 State of the Union Address to build on the countless acts of service, sacrifice, and generosity that followed September 11, 2001. Because of the President’s leadership and commitment to volunteer service, Americans of all ages and abilities have been inspired to make a difference in the lives of others.

USA Freedom Corps works to promote and expand volunteer service by supporting national service programs, serving as a resource for non-profits, recognizing volunteers, and helping to connect individuals with volunteer organizations in their communities. Great strides have been made over the past four years.

• Volunteer Rates - According to a study released in December 2005 by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 65.4 million Americans volunteered in 2005 – an increase of more than 6.5 million since President Bush made his Call to Service in 2002.
    
• Volunteer Network – USAFC offers a website, www.volunteer.gov, and a toll-free number, 1-877-USA-CORPS, for Americans to find existing volunteer service opportunities in their area. This search-friendly database includes over 2 million volunteer opportunities from organizations across the country.
    
• President’s Volunteer Service Award – The President's Volunteer Service Award was created by President Bush to recognize outstanding volunteers. The Award is available to Americans of all ages who complete a significant amount of service to their communities. To date, nearly 311,000 individuals have received the President’s Volunteer Service Award.
    
• Greeter Program – To thank community volunteers for making a difference in the lives of others, President Bush greets an outstanding local volunteer when Air Force One arrives at cities throughout the country. The President has met more than 465 volunteers since March 2002. The greeters are nominated for this honor by local volunteer organizations. Each greeter receives a President’s Volunteer Service Award.
    
• USAFC Kids Website – In 2004, USAFC launched www.volunteerkids.gov to engage and inspire young people to perform community service. Children can find games and ideas designed to show them how they can make a difference in their schools and neighborhoods.
    
• Hurricane Relief and Recovery - After the hurricanes of 2005, nearly 8 million Americans turned to the USA Freedom Corps and their Volunteer Network to find service opportunities to help their neighbors in the Gulf Coast. In the months and years ahead, USA Freedom Corps will continue to be a reference point for Americans wanting to help in the Gulf Coast.

We've seen a tremendous increase in volunteer service, but there is still more work to do and USA Freedom Corps remains committed to helping all Americans answer the President’s Call to Service.

Sincerely,

Desiree Sayle
Deputy Assistant to the President and
Director of USA Freedom Corps

• To read the Proclamation, click here.
• To view today's photo from the Oval Office, click here.
• To find out more about USA Freedom Corps and our partners in volunteer service, click here.