WASHINGTON, D.C. – President George W. Bush today signed a Presidential Proclamation recognizing the fourth anniversary of USA Freedom Corps. The President was joined in the Oval Office by Desiree T. Sayle, Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of USA Freedom Corps, David Eisner, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service, Gaddi H. Vasquez, Director of the Peace Corps, and Liz DiGregorio, Director of Citizen Corps.

“President Bush created USA Freedom Corps to enable more Americans to volunteer and make a difference in the lives of others,” said Sayle. “Because of the President’s leadership and commitment to volunteer service, Americans of all ages and abilities have been inspired and equipped to help their neighbors in need.”

President Bush created USA Freedom Corps to build on the countless acts of service, sacrifice, and generosity that followed September 11, 2001. When he announced USA Freedom Corps in his 2002 State of the Union Address, President Bush called on all Americans to serve a cause greater than themselves. Over the past four years, USA Freedom Corps has worked to help Americans answer that call 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.

USA Freedom Corps has provided important leadership to help build a culture of service in America.

• More Americans Volunteering - According to a study released in December 2005 by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 65.4 million Americans volunteered in 2005.
    
• Stronger National Service Programs – Under President Bush's leadership, AmeriCorps has grown by 50 percent to support 75,000 AmeriCorps members each year, Senior Corps has supported more than 500,000 older volunteers annually, and Learn and Serve America has supported more than one million students in service each year. Peace Corps has reached a 30-year high in the number of volunteers in the field. And, nearly 2,000 communities in all 56 states and territories have established Citizen Corps Councils to help inform and train citizen volunteers in emergency preparedness.
    
• Helping Americans Find Volunteer Opportunies

Volunteer Network – USAFC offers a website, www.volunteer.gov, and a toll-free number, 1-877-USA-CORPS, for Americans to find volunteer service opportunities in their area. This search-friendly database includes over 2 million volunteer opportunities from organizations across the country.

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.

• Recognizing Americans Who Serve

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.

The President’s 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.

• Supporting Hurricane Relief and Recovery - After the hurricanes of 2005, over 3 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 and the www.volunteer.gov website 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,” Sayle said.

In his January 2002 State of the Union Address, President Bush called on all Americans to make a difference in their communities and across the globe through volunteer service. He created USA Freedom Corps, an Office of the White House, to help Americans answer his Call to Service. Visit http://www.volunteer.gov or call 1-877-USA-CORPS to find an existing volunteer service opportunity and to find more information about volunteer service programs.

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