[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 38, Number 49 (Monday, December 9, 2002)]
[Pages 2109-2110]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
The President's Radio Address

November 30, 2002

    Good morning. This week, all across America, we gather with the 
people we love to give thanks for the blessings in our lives. Each 
family has its own traditions, yet we are united as a nation in setting 
aside a day of gratitude. We are grateful for the freedoms we enjoy, 
grateful for the loved ones who give meaning to our lives, and grateful 
for the many gifts of this prosperous land. On Thanksgiving we 
acknowledge that all of these things, and life itself, come not from the 
hand of man, but from Almighty God.
    The blessings we have received take on special meaning in this time 
of challenge for our country. Over the last year, millions of Americans 
have found renewed appreciation for our liberty and for the men and 
women who serve in its defense. We have held our family and our friends 
closer, spending more time together, and letting them know we love them.
    Taking time to count our own blessings reminds us that many people 
struggle every day--men, women, and children facing hunger, 
homelessness, illness, addiction, or despair. These are not strangers. 
They are fellow Americans needing comfort, love, and compassion. I ask 
all Americans to consider how you can give someone in need a reason to 
be thankful in this holiday season and throughout the year.
    It's easy to get started and to have an immediate impact. 
Volunteering your time at a soup kitchen, teaching a child to read, 
visiting a patient in the hospital, or taking a meal to an elderly 
neighbor or a shut-in are all simple acts of compassion that can 
brighten someone's life. Every act of love and generosity, however small 
it may seem, is significant. Every time you reach out to a neighbor in 
need, you touch a life, you improve your community, and you strengthen 
our nation.
    Earlier this year, I created the USA Freedom Corps office in the 
White House to harness the power of millions of acts of charity, 
compassion, and love to make America a better place. I hope you'll 
consider joining the armies of compassion and dedicating time and energy 
and service to others. I'm so proud of the millions of Americans who 
have answered the call to service, enriching the lives of others with 
acts of kindness. It is a testament to the good heart and the giving 
spirit of the American people.
    There's no better time than this season of Thanksgiving to renew our 
commitment to helping those in need. The USA Freedom Corps Web site--
usafreedomcorps.gov--is a wonderful place to get started. This resource 
offers valuable information about service opportunities in your 
hometown, across America, and around the world. You can also get 
information by calling 1-877-USA-CORPS.
    Take the time to find out how you can help your fellow Americans and 
make this holiday season a season of service.
    Happy Thanksgiving, and thank you for listening.

Note: The address was recorded at 3:15 p.m. on November 26 in the 
Cabinet Room at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on November

[[Page 2110]]

30. The transcript was made available by the Office of the Press 
Secretary on November 29 but was embargoed for release until the 
broadcast. The Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish 
language transcript of this address.