FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, April 23, 2004
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The White House - USA Freedom Corps
Contact: Erik Hotmire 202-456-7381 |
Sean Astin, a Member of the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation, Discusses Volunteer Service on "Ask the White House" |
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to "Ask the White House" -- an online interactive forum where you can submit
questions to Administration officials and friends of the White House.
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Sean Astin
Hello everyone and thank you so much for tuning in to the White House Q & A. It
is my great privilege to be included in the company of such extraordinary and
distinguished Americans. Let's take your questions
Moderator
Sean is here with us on the phone and will answer your questions.
Brenda, from McKinney,TX writes:
Sean, At what age did you start volunteering? By the way, I love your films
Sean Astin
Thanks Brenda for your question. The first time I volunteered, I was actually
volunteered by my parents. And I was too young to remember how old I was. The
event was a public service announcement for the Coast Guard.
I distinctly recall the image of me and four of my brothers wearing those
big, orange bulky, navy life preservers in our backyard when the film crew came
to shoot the footage of my parents and us kids talking about the importance of
water safety.
Lucie, from Phoenix, Arizona writes:
I taught my children from the time they were in early grade school that any help
they can give, no matter how small, was always helpful. As I work full time, I
find that much of the volunteer work I do is for their school so I can spend
more time with them. Considering how film projects can keep you busy and away
from your family, do you try to involve your family with any volunteer work that
you may do to be able to spend more time with them?
PS. I loved your film "The Long and the Short of It".
Sean Astin
Lucie,
You are a shining example of exactly how people can find the balance between
busy and fruitful lives and doing the best we can to contribute to our society
in a positive way. That's what this is about. That is what the mission of the
Council is and that is what I'm committed to doing.
As busy as my schedule gets, there is rarely a moment where I can't find a
way to do nine things at once.
My wife, my Mom, my children might disagree with me on the efficacy of this
strategy. But the reason it is great to find to volunteer is because it feels so
good -- something that you understand Lucie.
One of the major priorities of the President's Council is to encourage family
to volunteer together. So the short answer to your question is "yes" I involve
my family in almost everything I do.
The only time I don't is when the US Army says it isn't appropriate for my
children to come into this briefing when a security clearance is required.
But I volunteered as a civilian aide to the Secretary of the Army since 1995
and the other volunteer aides love it when my wife and children come because
they can see it in the lobby and give them a hug and we can take a picture
together before we go to the official event.
I also do a lot of literacy work and one project I was involved in was
transforming a parking lot -- the front area of a literacy facility into a
garden. I flew my family out and we all worked on transforming this parking lot
into a garden together.
There are some pictures of this on
seanastin.com . My family was there with me and we had a great time. It is
sacred family time as far as I'm concerned when you volunteer together.
Amanda, from Connecticut writes:
Hey Sean. My name is Amanda and I am 12 years old and I live in CT. I am a big
fan of yours, and I was wondering what volunteer activities you have done, or
attended, and how can I get involved with volunteering.
Sean Astin
That is a great question Amanda. 12 years old. I'm glad to see you are starting
young!
Amanda, tell your parents you want to volunteer your time and have them help
you find a great volunteer opportunity. You can certainly click on to
usafreedomcorps.com with your folks and learn about tons of ways for you to
volunteer your time.
I would say, find out what you are passionate about and work with your
parents and teachers to find some way to volunteer doing something you love.
And Amanda, don't forget to keep track of your hours because before you know
it, you will be eligible for a Presidential Commendation. You'll win the
Presidential Volunteer Service Award.
Melissa, from CT writes:
Hello Mr. Astin I was wondering, your such a successful actor but you also have
done some directing. Do you prefer acting or directing and which do you consider
more rewarding?
Sean Astin
Melissa
I get this question a lot and I'm not sure I really understand it. I
absolutely relish my moments as a performer on stage or screen, be it big or
small. And I love making movies. Though I suppose the best answer to the
question, I prefer whichever one I'm doing at the moment that I'm doing it.
Carolyn, from Manassas writes:
The example you've set through your roles, as well as your work with the
President's Council, has inspired many of your fans to take on volunteer
projects of their own. Thank you. I was wondering if your daughter
participates in volunteer projects, and what you would do/suggest to help
inspire younger children to become more active in their schoolcommunity?
Sean Astin
Carolyn
Thanks so much for the positive feedback. It warms my heart to think that
I've actually made some modest impact.
Of course my daughter participates. It is some of our favorite time when we
are volunteering together. I think the best way to inspire others is to lead by
example.
nicole, from philadelphia writes:
Hi sean, i think you are wonderful i was just wondering Do you still keep in
contact with everyone from the trilogy?and how's you r foot doing after that
incident on the lake while filming?
Sean Astin
Hi Nicole
My foot is fine. In fact, it was pretty much fine the next day after the
injury. In fact, that incident has been one of the great stories of my
experience on Lord of the Rings so even though I didn't like how painful it was,
I'm sort of glad it happened. (Laughter)
Everyone on Lord of the Rings keeps in touch with each other on a greater or
lesser extent through the phone, emails, high speed transportation, we can see
each other virtually whenever we want to. But we all have busy schedules so it
is really a question of each of us making an individual effort which we all
frequently do.
Christy, from Mississippi writes:
What was the best part about making "The Lord of the Rings"?? Thanks.
Sean Astin
Christy,
The single best thing about being involved with Lord of the Rings was being
able to give my wife and my then only daughter Alexandra the experience of
traveling to another country and working on a project of such high artistic
merit.
They had the experience of a lifetime and I got to feel the pride of giving
it to them.
Chrissy, from Lexington, Ky writes:
Hi Sean. your web site says, "He also supports individuals in their pursuit of
careers in Entertainment and Sports." How exactly do you do that? This budding
writer would feel supported if I could have a ten minute conversation with you.
I just want to ask you some questions. I'd ask, how do turn on your creative
muse? What inspires you the most and when on earth do you find time to sleep?
Sean Astin
Chrissy
Thanks so much for checking out seanastin.com. I am really proud of
the letter I published this morning regarding National Volunteer Week. But
since you asked about me supporting individuals in the entertainment and sports
field, I can just say that in the passion section of my web site (lower right
corner of the page) you will see a button called Fish.
http://www.seanastin.com/passions.htm
Fish, aka, Michael Herring, is a dear friend of ours and a wonderful
guitarist. My wife has two brothers. One of whom is an avid golfer and the other
is a brilliant artist. I'm waiting for a good link to put up there. But they are
who I had in mind when I started this section.
I believe it is critical -- particularly for successful people, to
acknowledge the self-expression and determinism of those around us. First, our
family and friends and then by extension everyone we come into contact with.
Chrissy, I'm not certain if we will have our 10 minutes together or not, but
I wish you godspeed and I'm sure I'll be watching or listening or experiencing
your artistic expression in some way shape or form in the not too distant future
Anja, from CologneGermany writes:
Hi Sean, I read about your book. I ordered it already and can't wait to read it
Are you going to do signings in bookstores - perhaps even in Germany? That would
be great Thanks for all your wonderful work
Sean Astin
Anja
Thanks so much for ordering an advance copy of my book, "There and Back Again
-- an Actor's Tale," which is being published by St. Marten's press in October.
I'm so proud of the work that I've done on the book and I can't wait for
people to read it. I've committed to doing a publicity tour on it in the fall,
and I absolutely intend to do book signings.
I've been looking for a great convention to do in Germany because I know how
much people in Germany love Lord of the Rings, and I had such a great time there
at the premier. So I'm not sure if and when I will get back there but I
certainly hope to.
Rudy, from Montreal writes:
Hey Sean You were great in the film RUDY Are you currently working on any new
projects? Do you think the Montreal Canadiens will win the Stanley Cup?
Sean Astin
Rudy, I think the Montreal Canadiens have a shot. Good luck in your game tonight
(7pm Eastern Time).
I finished filming on two lower budget independent films that I'm proud of.
One is called "Slipstream" directed by Dave Van Icen and the other is called
"Smile" written and directed by Jeffrey Kramer.
I want to talk about Smile for a moment because the reason I agreed to do the
movie was in large part that I felt it was consistent our mission on the
President's Council on Service and Civic Participation.
Mr. Kramer's daughter Katie chose to volunteer her time with Operation Smile.
She had been practicing to compete competitively in ice skating when she
sustained a minor injury to her ankle that prevented her from continuing her
training.
She was having a hard time mixing back in with her social group at high
school when the principal invited her to participate in Operation Smile.
Operation Smile is when a group of doctors and dentists travel to different
countries to offer their services to children who may not be able to afford
them.
Jeffrey Kramer was so inspired by his daughter's effort that he wrote a movie
about her. And he created the character of Mr. Matthews as the person who
inspires her to begin volunteering.
Jeffrey wanted me to play Mr. Matthews and it was my great privilege to do
so. To that end, I took my wife and daughters to China two weeks ago for two
days to watch the last two days of filming.
I consider my trip to China a goodwill mission on behalf of President Bush.
Stay tuned to
seanastin.com for updates about when the film will be released.
Larry, from Falls Church, Virginia writes:
Sean, how did you get picked to be on the Council? And can a regular guy ever be
a member of the Council?
Sean Astin
Larry, I consider myself to be a regular guy and I'm just as surprised as you
are that they picked me.
The specific chronology of events to the extent that you want to know is that
I was appointed as a civilian aide to the Army in 1995. I agreed to emcee an
event in the afternoon at the Mall in Washington on September 11, 2002. That
event was put together by one of my best friends, Dan Lyons.
The purpose of the event was to honor and recognize 2,000 young people who
had spent a lot of time throughout the year volunteering. When I was at the
Pentagon in the morning on September 11, 2002 and the Remembrance Ceremony with
President Bush, someone from the Administration approached me what I was doing
there.
When I told her she instantly had the idea that I should be on the soon to be
formed President's Council on Service and Civic Participation. Such as the way
the world works for me.
But Larry, whether you are on the Council or not, you can be an extraordinary
example to everyone you come in contact with by volunteering.
Sean Astin
I wish we had more time but I really enjoyed the questions and the chance to
speak to all of you this way. So as we go forward, now that National Volunteer
Week is wrapping up, I hope we all remember how good it feels and what an
important mission it is to get involved in civic life.
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