Presidential Recognition
President Bush to Recognize St. Paul Couple for Dedication to Volunteer ServicePresident George W. Bush met Edward and Jane Bardon upon arrival in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Tuesday, August 26, 2003. In September, the Bardons will travel to Turkmenistan to begin their two-year service as Peace Corps volunteers. Throughout their lives, 70-year old Edward and 68-year old Jane have sought opportunities to serve. Earlier this year, President Bush celebrated the first anniversary of the USA Freedom Corps – his initiative to engage all Americans in service to their neighbors and their nation. President Bush is recognizing individuals around the country, like the Bardons, who are answering the call to volunteer service. The Bardons, who have been married for 48 years, are native Minnesotans who have previously volunteered abroad. During the summers of 2002 and 2003, they served as volunteer teachers in Russia and Romania, teaching English as a second language while living with a host family. When they learned there was no upper age limit to serving in the Peace Corps, the Bardons signed up to travel to Turkmenistan as Peace Corps volunteers. There, they will spend the next two years working in the area of health education. Turkmenistan is one of several countries that has re-opened Peace Corps programs since the President's 2002 call to service and proposal to double the size of the Peace Corps. President Bush to Recognize Chicago Foster Parents for Dedication to ServicePresident George W. Bush met Jerry and Adrienne Welenc when he arrived in Chicago, Illinois. The Welenc's have been leaders in foster care for more than thirty 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 recognized the Welencs as an example of the dedication to service he is hoping to instill in all Americans through his USA Freedom Corps initiative. In addition, May was National Foster Care Month, an opportunity thank foster parents for their service to children in need. Over the past 35 years, the Welencs have provided fostered care to more than 90 children. They have adopted 6 children, have 2 birth children, and 12 grandchildren. The Welencs regularly distribute food to families in the child support system, and each Christmas they work with area social services agencies to provide gifts for area foster children. Most recently, they have worked with a local organization to distribute backpacks stocked with items important for children entering foster care such as supplies for a first day at a new school, a sleep shirt, toys, books, and toiletries. President Bush to Recognize Six West Virginia Veterans for Dedication to Volunteer ServicePresident George W. Bush met Bill Boyd, 71, Charlie Cavender, 69, John Lockhart, 68, LeRoy Sayre, 71, Stanley Shaffer, 47, and Donald Southall, 69, when he arrives in Ripley, West Virginia on July 4th. Each is a veteran, and together they are working as volunteers for a program to help drive veterans to medical appointments. 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 these six gentlemen and their project as an example of the dedication to service he is hoping to instill in all Americans through his USA Freedom Corps initiative. Three years ago Sayre worked with the State of West Virginia and the Disabled American Veterans to obtain a van and start a driving service for veterans to carry them to medical appointments at VA medical facilities in Charleston and Huntington. Sayre and Southall were the first drivers and Cavender serves as scheduler for the group. Together, the six men schedule and drive more than 1000 people each year to their medical appointments and spend approximately 180 hours each month on the road. They are involved in other volunteer activities that support veterans, such as pallbearer teams and rifle squads. In addition, many are active as volunteers with their churches and other civic organizations. President Bush to recognize University of Pittsburgh Students for Dedication to Volunteer Service
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 these students as examples of the dedication to service he is hoping to instill in all Americans through his USA Freedom Corps initiative. Jumpstart, a program associated with AmeriCorps, places college students in tutoring relationships with children in preschool programs serving low-income populations. Through Jumpstart, tutors work with children one-on-one and serve as teaching aids in the classroom. |
President George W. Bush met a group of University