President George W. Bush will meet Amy Coppin upon arrival in Roswell, New Mexico, on Thursday, January 22, 2004. While attending the New Mexico Military Institute, Coppin has been an active volunteer in the Roswell community.

Later this month, the USA Freedom Corps – President Bush’s initiative to engage all Americans in service to their neighbors and their nation – will celebrate its second anniversary. President Bush is recognizing individuals around the country, like Coppin, who are answering the call to volunteer service.

Coppin, a senior at the New Mexico Military Institute, has dedicated time each semester in service to others. During her sophomore year, Coppin volunteered one day each week at a local elementary school working one-on-one with children to help improve their reading skills and volunteered with other cadets to paint a fence for Assurance Home, a non-profit organization that provides stable homes for abused and neglected children and children in the foster care system. As a junior, Coppin wrote letters to military service men and women serving overseas in order to lift their spirits and let them know they were remembered in thoughts and prayers back home. As a member of the Rotary Club, she has participated in many community service activities such as creating and delivering handmade Christmas cards to residents at a local senior center. This past semester, Coppin visited three elementary schools in the Roswell area teaching lessons about nutrition and the importance of healthy eating habits and exercise.

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. January 2004 is National Mentoring Month and individuals interested in mentoring activities can find opportunities in their neighborhoods through the USA Freedom Corps web site at www.usafreedomcorps.gov or by calling 1-877-USA-CORPS.

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