Obama meets with local volunteers

Before he took the stage to commemorate his 100th day in office, President Barack Obama met with four local volunteers. They told the president about their stories of service in response to the President’s speech at the signing of the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act April 21.  The legislation will triple the size of AmeriCorps from 75,000 to 250,000 members and focus on clean energy, education, health care, veterans care and economic opportunity. The bill will also provide new service opportunities for millions of Americans of all ages.that speech, Obama encouraged people to volunteer, much like he did on the night of his election. 

To read some of the stories of service sent in from around the country, click HERE.

To view a high resolution photo of the President with the volunteers he met today, click HERE.

Here’s a synopsis of the volunteers Obama met today in St. Louis:

Alicia Schnell

Alicia was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Bolivia (1997-1999). She was a rural health adviser working on water sanitation. Alicia is now leader of the St. Louis area returned peace corps volunteer community (about 150 strong); they work together to do area service projects together, currently trying to organize a Habitat house. She now volunteers with Healing the Children – a non-profit group that brings children from around the world who need medical attention to U.S. hospitals, the group also sends medical teams abroad. Alicia has traveled with the medical teams, and in St. Louis volunteers as a translator (Spanish) for the children. She graduated from Washington University in St. Louis, BA in Biology and Psychology; MBA.

Benjamin Zack

Benjamin Zack, 24, is a college student at the University of Missouri whose recent time spent in inner city schools in St. Louis has built within him a deep passion for education. Ben began dedicating his life to community service in 2005 when he worked with Americorps as a freshman in college. He started his year of service at Froebel Elementary School as a member of AmeriCorps St. Louis. His time with AmeriCorps took him from urban playgrounds to the Katrina-ravaged Mississippi coast, and many places in between.  Four years after his year of service with AmeriCorps, he still works with St. Louis Public Schools.  He now works with America SCORES St. Louis, an after-school program that fosters leadership, teamwork, and community involvement in underserved elementary schools. At times, his work with America SCORES has crossed paths with the first students he worked with when he moved to St. Louis. He is originally from Spokane, Washington.

Tina Marie Dohogne

Tina Marie Dohogne, 50, is the Executive Director of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program and the Volunteer Intergenerational Center of Cape Girardeau and Scott Counties, Missouri.  Tina has been employed in this field for 29 years.  Raised on a farm in a small rural town with a population of less than 100, she understands the importance of reaching out and helping one’s neighbor.  These two programs have indeed made an impact on her life as she has the unique privilege of witnessing miracles performed every single day by dedicated and caring individuals in her community – VOLUNTEERS!  Directing both programs is a challenge but one that Tina looks forward to each day and reflects on the good that is accomplished by those who extend their hand to a total stranger in need.  This is more than a job to Tina; it is an adventure and one that would make any American proud to be a part of.

Annie Pick

Annie Pick, 71, is a resident of Chesterfield, MO. It was President Obama’s call that first moved Annie to service, as she searched on USAService.org where she found an organization called Wings of Hope. Annie is retired and helps with anything computer-related at Wings of Hope. The office is located only ten miles from her home, making it easy for her to volunteer on a routine basis. President Obama’s call to service created the vehicle through which Annie was able to be matched with an appropriate volunteer organization. Annie says that being able to use her experience to help others is quite rewarding, and urges all retirees to answer the same call she did.