President George W. Bush will meet Ruth Campanario upon arrival in New Britain, Connecticut, on Thursday, June 12, 2003. Campanario has volunteered with several local organizations through the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program since 1990.

Earlier this year, President Bush celebrated the first anniversary of the USA Freedom Corps - his initiative to engage all Americans in service to their neighbors and their nation. President Bush is recognizing individuals around the country, like Campanario, who are answering the call to volunteer service.

Following her retirement in 1989, Campanario began volunteering by comforting children at the UCONN Medical Center. Through the federally supported Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) in central Connecticut, Campanario was matched with a local elementary school, where she worked with first-grade students helping them with reading and spelling. For the past five years, Campanario has volunteered at the Friendship Service Center, a local shelter which offers emergency and transitional housing, job training and counseling services. Campanario volunteers her time preparing and serving meals to families and individuals at the shelter, and organizing packages of clothing and toys given to children in need during the holiday season. Campanario also volunteers her time at the St. Gerome Church Thrift Store in New Britain.

President Bush created the USA Freedom Corps office at the White House to foster a culture of service, citizenship and responsibility. Through the USA Freedom Corps, President Bush wants to help every American answer the call to volunteer 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 opportunities in their own neighborhoods through the USA Freedom Corps web site at www.usafreedomcorps.gov or by calling 1-877-USA-CORPS.

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