FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, January 27, 2003
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The White House - USA Freedom Corps
Contact: Kathleen Mynster
202-456-7381 |
President Bush to Recognize Grand Rapids Man for Dedication to Volunteer Service |
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President George W. Bush will meet Jerry Nienhuis when he arrives in Grand
Rapids, Michigan, on Wednesday, January 29, 2003. Nienhuis has volunteered as a
mentor with Kids Hope USA for the past seven years.
In his 2002 State of the Union address, President Bush called on all Americans
to dedicate at least two years over their lifetimes in service to their
communities, our country and the world. President Bush is recognizing
individuals around the country who are answering the call to service and will
recognize Nienhuis as an example of the dedication to service he is hoping to
instill in all Americans through his USA Freedom Corps initiative.
In 1996, Nienhuis began volunteering with Kids Hope USA, a national service
program that works with church congregations to provide mentors for at-risk
children. After being challenged by his church to find a way to make a
difference his community, Nienhuis signed up with Kids Hope USA as a mentor.
This activity has made him more aware of the challenges facing school children,
specifically those attending public schools in urban areas. For the past seven
years, Nienhuis has spent at least one hour each week working with an elementary
school student and continues to recruit more individuals to become positive role
models and mentors for children.
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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