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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
October 11, 2001

President Announces "America's Fund for Afghan Children"
The East Room
Excerpt From Tonight's Address

     America's Fund for Afghan Children

     Before we leave, I want to make a special request to the children of America.  I ask you to join in a special effort to help the children of Afghanistan.  Their country has been through a great deal of war and suffering.  Many children there are starving and are severely malnourished.  One in three Afghan children is an orphan.  Almost half suffer chronic malnutrition.  And we can, and must, help them.

     We've created a special relief effort that will be supervised by the Red Cross.  We are asking every child in America to earn or give a dollar that will be used to provide food and medical help for the children of Afghanistan.  You can send your dollar in an envelope, marked "America's Fund for Afghan Children," right here to the White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C.

     This is an opportunity to help others, while teaching our own children a valuable lesson about service and character.  I hope school classes or Boys and Girl Scout troops, other youth organizations will participate in any way to raise the money to send to the children.  Wash your car.  Do a yard for a neighbor.  And I hope the adults will help them, as well.

     Ultimately, one of the best weapons, one of the truest weapons that we have against terrorism is to show the world the true strength of character and kindness of the American people.  Americans are united in this fight against terrorism.  We're also united in our concern for the innocent people of Afghanistan. Winter is coming, and by acting today we can help the children survive.

     Thank you for your questions.  May God bless America.

                            END          8:44 P.M. EDT