President George W. Bush will meet Sarah Sindlinger when he arrives in Des Moines, Iowa, on Thursday, April 15, 2004. Sindlinger, a high school student, is an active volunteer with I-CARE, the West Des Moines Community School System’s community service learning program.

Earlier this year, the USA Freedom Corps – President Bush’s initiative to engage all Americans in service to their neighbors and their nation by volunteering two years or 4,000 hours over the course of their lifetime – celebrated its second anniversary. Since January 2002, President Bush has met with more than 270 individuals around the country, like Sindlinger, who are answering the call to volunteer service.

Sindlinger, a high school junior at Valley High School in West Des Moines, volunteers with I-CARE, her school district’s community service learning program that builds bridges between schools and the community. Sindlinger has been involved with the program for three years, and last year volunteered more than 150 hours. One to two days each week, she works with children at the local Phoenix Daycare Center during her study hall. Sindlinger also participates in the “Best Buddy” program, mentoring another student from Valley High School. Last summer, she volunteered with Jumpstart, an I-CARE summer school program where she worked with third and fourth graders. Sindlinger also volunteers her time at the West Des Moines Library, SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) and the Iowa Methodist Hospital.

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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