President George W. Bush will present the President’s Volunteer Service Award to Linda Feld when he arrives at the airport in Orlando, Florida, on Thursday, September 21, 2006.  Feld is a volunteer with Hospice of the Comforter.  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 Feld, since March 2002.

Feld has been a Hospice volunteer for 20 years and currently volunteers at Hospice of the Comforter in Altamonte Springs.  As founder and president of Hospice of the Comforter’s Volunteer Advisory Board, Feld works to promote volunteer retention and recruits and trains new Hospice volunteers. She also provides direct care to three Hospice patients living in nursing homes. In addition, Feld is organizing the volunteer program for Hospice of the Comforter’s new facility, Hospice House, which is under construction.  Feld was named one of Central Florida’s Hometown Heroes in January 2006.

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.

###