FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, June 21, 2002
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The White House - USA Freedom Corps
Contact: Kathleen Mynster
202-456-7381 |
President Bush to Recognize Newark High School Students for Dedication to Service |
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On his arrival in Newark, New Jersey on Monday, President George W. Bush will
meet three Northern Highlands Regional High School students who are actively
involved in promoting the PresidentÕs call to volunteer service. In his State of
the Union address, President Bush called on all Americans to dedicate at least
two years of their lives—the equivalent of 4,000 hours—in service to their
communities, our country and the world. His goal is to give Americans a way to
respond to the evil of terrorism with acts of compassion. President Bush is
recognizing individuals around the country who are answering the call to
service, and will recognize these students as an example of the dedication to
service he is hoping to instill in all Americans through his USA Freedom Corps
initiative.
Following the President's State of the Union address, Joanna Glick, the
younger sister of Jeremy Glick, one of the heroes aboard United Flight 93 on
September 11, and her classmates initiated a new program at their school to
encourage their fellow students to engage in volunteer service. Glick, her
classmates, and teachers, created the concept of a "Teen Freedom Corps Club"
that could be started at any high school across the country to promote and
coordinate volunteer opportunities. Classmates Kelly Bianco and Allison Cohen
will join Glick in meeting the President.
Northern Highlands Regional High School is the founding chapter of the club,
with students participating in variety of activities including peer leadership,
Big Brothers Big Sisters, a project to raise money for needy children in
Guatemala, a Cinderella Project to deliver prom dresses to students with
financial needs, and the First Vote program to educate and register 18 year olds
to vote. Next fall students will take on a new "Caring Crew" project to support
families of September 11 victims. Caring Crew will perform ho usehold tasks that
have become difficult because of the loss of a family member. Students will also
help military families with members deployed in other parts of the country or
the world.
President Bush created the USA Freedom Corps office at the White House to
foster an American culture of service, citizenship and responsibility. Through
the USA Freedom Corps, President Bush wants to help every American answer the
call to 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 information on the USA Freedom Corps at
www.usafreedomcorps.gov or
by calling 1-877-USA-Corps.
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