President George W. Bush will present the President’s Volunteer Service Award to Brian Willingham when he arrives in Mount Clemens, Michigan, on Monday, February 20, 2006. Willingham is a volunteer at Scott Elementary School in Flint, Michigan. To thank them for making a difference in the lives of others, President Bush has met with more than 470 individuals around the country, like Willingham, since March 2002.

Willinghamhas been a volunteer for eight years at Scott Elementary School. He organizes after-school programs and activities for children in art, reading, violence prevention and sports. For the past four years Willingham has organized an annual Father and Son Banquet to help strengthen family relationships. Approximately 200 men and boys attend the event. Willingham, a police officer with the Flint Police Department, also gives presentations to churches and civic groups to help strengthen the relationship between the community and the police department.

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.

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