FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, June 20, 2002
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The White House - USA Freedom Corps
Contact: Kathleen Mynster
202-456-7381 |
President Bush to Recognize Orlando Senior for Lifelong Dedication to Service |
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On his arrival in Orlando, FL on Friday, President George W. Bush will meet
Marie Wieland, an Orlando senior citizen who has been an active volunteer in the
Orlando community for more than 40 years. 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. President Bush is recognizing individuals around the country who
are answering the call to service, and will recognize Wieland as an example of
the dedication to service he is hoping to instill in all Americans through his
USA Freedom Corps initiative.
Wieland has been a dedicated volunteer with several Orlando organizations,
including 40 years of service in the surgical waiting room at the Orlando
Regional Healthcare System. While raising three sons, she volunteered with her
children's schools as a room mother and served her community through various
church-sponsored programs.
As a 77-year-old day care center volunteer at Community Care for the Elderly,
Wieland regularly visits with clients and organizes special events. Wieland is
active on the boards of several Orlando organizations, including the Children's
Home Society of Florida, Community Care for the Elderly, and the Auxiliary of
the Orlando Regional Medical Center. She also established teenage volunteer
programs for the Florida Hospital Auxiliaries and served as its state
chairperson.
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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