FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, March 15, 2002
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The White House - USA Freedom Corps
Contact: Kathleen Mynster
202-456-7381 |
President Bush to Recognize Chicagoan for Her Dedication to Service |
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On his arrival in Chicago, Illinois, tomorrow, President George W. Bush will
meet with Jeanette Vasek, a longtime volunteer in the Chicago Heights community
who has responded to his call to service by volunteering with the Chicago
Heights Police Department. President Bush will recognize Vasek as an example of
the lifetime commitment to service he is hoping to instill in all Americans.
In his State of the Union address, President Bush called on all Americans to
dedicate at least two years—the equivalent of 4,000 hours—to service to their
communities, our country and the world. President Bush is recognizing men and
women from around the country who are answering the call to service as part of
his USA Freedom Corps initiative.
After hearing President Bush's call to service, Vasek contacted Chief Robert
Pinnow, Jr. of the Chicago Heights Police Department to offer to coordinate
recruiting and organizing of senior citizen volunteers for the department. In
addition to those efforts, Vasek has been instrumental in helping the department
start a medical identification bracelet program for senior citizens. The
bracelets will allow police officers to immediately identify and assist senior
citizens who may be ill or disoriented. Vasek also initiated a cellular phone
donation and distribution program that will put cellular phones into the hands
of the elderly, victims of domestic violence and others at risk of crime,
allowing them to make emergency calls. Chief Pinnow will join Vasek in greeting
the President tomorrow.
Vasek has also served her community by volunteering with church based
programs in a local nursing home and a food and clothing distribution service.
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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