President George W. Bush will present the President’s Volunteer Service Award to Bernice Ursich when he arrives at the airport in Cleveland, Ohio, on Wednesday, August 2, 2006. Ursich is a volunteer with the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of Greater Cleveland. To thank them for making a difference in the lives of others, President Bush honors a local volunteer, called a USA Freedom Corps greeter, when he travels throughout the United States. President Bush has met with more than 500 individuals around the country, like Ursich, since March 2002.

Ursich has been a volunteer with RSVP of Greater Cleveland for 12 years and has logged more than 2,300 hours of service. Ursich works at Judson at University Circle, a continuing care retirement community. She is a volunteer with the Arthritis Water Exercise Therapy Program and assists residents who are unable to exercise on their own. Ursich also accompanies residents on field trips and assists with social events. In addition, Ursich was a patient care volunteer for nine years with Hospice of the Western Reserve and has been an usher at the Playhouse Square Center for 15 years.

In his January 2002 State of the Union Address, President Bush called on all Americans to make a difference in their communities through volunteer service. He created USA Freedom Corps, an Office of the White House, to strengthen and expand volunteer service. Americans are responding to the President’s Call to Service. Go to www.volunteer.gov or call 1-877-USA-CORPS to find an existing volunteer service opportunity in your area or to find more information about service programs, including national service programs such as the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, and Citizen Corps. USA Freedom Corps is also highlighting youth volunteer service. Visit www.volunteerkids.gov for games and ideas designed to show how America's youth are making a difference.

The President's Volunteer Service Award was created at the President’s direction by the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation. The Award is available to youth ages 14 and under who have completed 50 or more hours of volunteer service; to individuals 15 and older who have completed 100 or more hours; and to families or groups who have completed 200 or more hours. For more information about the Award, please visit www.presidentialserviceawards.gov.

###