President George W. Bush will meet Patrick Leonard when he arrives in Hershey, Pennsylvania, on Monday, April 19, 2004. Leonard is an active volunteer with the Hershey Volunteer Fire Company.

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 – celebrated its second anniversary. Since January 2002, President Bush has met with more than 270 individuals around the country, like Leonard, who are answering the call to volunteer service.

Leonard has volunteered for the Hershey Volunteer Fire Company for the past 26 years. He currently serves as Fire Chief, overseeing the operations of 70 firefighters. The company, which is celebrating its 99th anniversary this year, operates various fire safety and prevention programs throughout the community. Leonard and his peers speak with over three thousand children a year, teaching them what to do in the event of an emergency. They also visit local offices to teach proper handling of fire extinguishers.

Volunteering at the Hershey Fire Company is a family affair for the Leonards. Patrick’s two older brothers, Jim and Tom, also serve in the company. Their great grandfather started the tradition as a firefighter in Pittsburgh.

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.

###