    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book II)]
    [August 31, 2002]
    [Pages 1516-1517]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's Radio Address
    August 31, 2002

        Good morning. In all of the trials we have faced this past year,
    countless acts of generosity and sacrifice have revealed the good heart
    of our Nation. Time and time again, our country has shown the strength
    of its character by responding to acts of evil with acts of good. And in
    coming weeks, I ask all citizens to answer the call to help those in
    need and make this month a ``September of Service.''
        I created USA Freedom Corps, a single organization to encourage and
    assist Americans in finding service opportunities both locally and
    around the globe, to harness and put to good use the service and
    idealism we saw after the attacks of September the 11th. In addition, I
    called on all Americans to enlist in the armies of compassion and
    dedicate at least 4,000 hours in service to their communities, our
    country, and to the world.
        The response to the call to service has been strong. VolunteerMatch,
    a group that matches volunteers to charities on the USA Freedom Corps
    web page, reports that referrals have increased by more than 70 percent
    over last year. Requests for Peace Corps volunteer applications have
    increased 40 percent over the same period last year. Online AmeriCorps
    applications are up by 95 percent since January. And more than 48,000
    individuals have signed up online to participate in the newly created
    Citizens Corps program.
        The response we have seen is more than numbers, though. It is a
    reminder that when people help each other, our entire Nation benefits.
    As I have traveled across the country, I have met with volunteers who
    have set an example with their uplifting acts of service, volunteers
    like Maxine Phipps, a 95-year-old Iowan who
    mentors and tutors local children through an online book club--she uses
    her computer skills as she and her students read and discuss books about
    the importance of citizenship--or Star Wallin, a
    college freshman from Mississippi who founded Project CARE in 1999.
    Project CARE is an organization that has impacted so many lives through
    activities such as matching elementary school students with high school
    mentors, collecting food, clothing, and furniture for impoverished
    families, and helping to refurbish the grounds of local public schools.
        I hope the work of these individuals and that of volunteers all
    across the country inspires others, especially our young people. Young
    people have the energy and determination to do important work, and
    volunteer service can teach them valuable lessons about responsibility,
    community, and selflessness at an early age.
        I urge our teachers and schools to begin service projects and
    activities in September and to make this new school year the start of a
    lifelong habit of service to others. In an effort to assist educators
    and students in getting started, we've developed a new guidebook, CD-
    ROM, and web site called Students in Service to America. These resources
    offer valuable information about

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    planning service activities and working with community groups.
        More than 130,000 public and private, elementary and secondary, home
    schools and after-school programs throughout the country will receive
    these materials in September. In addition, we will encourage AmeriCorps
    members and Senior Corps volunteers to recruit more young people for
    service opportunities and to work closely with schools and community
    organizations to support in-school and after-school programs. Through
    these efforts, young people will learn how important service is to our
    Nation and how to get started today.
        As September the 11th approaches, difficult memories of planes and
    buildings will resurface, but so will images of brave individuals coming
    to the aid of neighbors in need. That spirit of courage and selflessness
    has shown the world why our Nation is the greatest force for good in
    history. I urge all Americans to honor the memory of those lost by
    serving others.
        Thank you for listening.

    Note: The address was recorded at 9:41 a.m. on August 30 at the Bush
    Ranch in Crawford, TX, for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on August 31. The
    transcript was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary on
    August 30 but was embargoed for release until the broadcast. The Office
    of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language transcript of
    this address.