President Bush has urged Americans to regard the holiday season as a time to donate their services to the needy.
In his weekly radio address, the president said people who struggle every day with hunger, poverty, homelessness and illness are not strangers but neighbors. He said reaching out to help a neighbor touches a life, improves a community and strengthens the nation.
Mr. Bush asked Americans not to let the war on terror, the prospect of military conflict with Iraq, and a faltering economy hold them back from getting involved in public service.
The president also suggested a number of volunteer activities, and promoted his USA Freedom Corps, an organization set up to coordinate federal volunteer efforts.