Hate to be cynical so close to Christmas, but as I read this article I got the weird feeling that the AP reporter who wrote this was previously on staff at The Onion. Don't skip the last 'graph.
Bush Urges Americans to Help the Needy
AP
WASHINGTON - President Bush urged Americans to seek out ways to help the needy during the holiday season, and he took credit for a rise in volunteerism nationwide.
"This holiday season, I ask every American to look for a challenge in your own community, and step forward to lend a hand," Bush said in his weekly radio address Saturday.
"Particularly in this time of giving, our thoughts turn to fellow citizens who face hardship, or illness, or loneliness," he said. "Their burden often seems even greater at Christmastime, yet the hope of this season was meant for them, as well."
Bush cited a government report issued this week that found more people in the United States volunteered their time in the past year.
"This increase in volunteering is evidence of the new culture of service we are building in America, especially among young people," the president said.
He gave a large share of the credit to his call for national service after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, and the USA Freedom Corps he established to promote the campaign.
"America's 63 million volunteers are setting a fine example for our nation," Bush said. "They are meeting essential needs in their communities -- and they know the fulfillment that only comes from serving a cause greater than self."
Bush and his wife, Laura, will be at Camp David, Md., Tuesday to Friday, then at their Crawford, Texas ranch through Jan. 4, the White House said.