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June 25, 2009 / 2:41 PM

First family stuffs backpacks

U.S. President Barack Obama (R) and his daughter Malia (L) help volunteers and members of Congress stuff backpacks with books, food and photographs of the first dog Bo during a United We Serve event at Fort McNair June 25, 2009. (UPI Photo/Chip Somodevilla/Pool)

1 of 3 | U.S. President Barack Obama (R) and his daughter Malia (L) help volunteers and members of Congress stuff backpacks with books, food and photographs of the first dog Bo during a United We Serve event at Fort McNair June 25, 2009. (UPI Photo/Chip Somodevilla/Pool) | License Photo

WASHINGTON, June 25 (UPI) -- The U.S. first family was at Fort McNair in the District of Columbia Thursday to help assemble thousands of backpacks for children of military personnel.

The White House said some 15,000 backpacks would be assembled as part of the nationwide United We Serve volunteer initiative that kicked off Monday.

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During his remarks, President Barack Obama called on Americans to take time during the summer to volunteer and reminded listeners the government Web site, Serve.gov, lists organizations where people can seek out volunteer opportunities.

The president, first lady and daughters Malia and Sasha were part of the assembly line that stuffed backpacks with drink boxes, a fruit cup, cereal and two books, "The Lightning Thief" by Rick Riordan and "The Penderwicks" by Jeanne Birdsall.

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