President George W. Bush will present the President’s Volunteer Service Award to Alan Petz, 22, when he arrives at the airport in Gulfport, Mississippi, on Thursday, March 1, 2007.  Petz, an airman in the United States Air Force, is a volunteer with Hands On Gulf Coast.  To thank them for making a difference in the lives of others, President Bush honors a local volunteer when he travels throughout the United States.  President Bush has met with more than 550 individuals around the country, like Petz, since March 2002.

Petz, who is stationed at Keesler Air Force Base, has been involved with Hands On Gulf Coast since September 2005.  Prior to Hurricane Katrina, he worked as a Diet Therapy Journeyman at Keesler Medical Center.  When the hospital shut down as a result of damage from the storm, Petz was assigned to work with Hands On Gulf Coast to lead teams of volunteers to remove trees, clean debris, and gut houses.  In April 2006, Petz was reassigned to duties on base but continues to work with Hands On Gulf Coast in a volunteer capacity.  He helps rebuild homes, designs healthy menus and prepares hot meals for volunteers, and maintains the vehicles which are used to transport volunteers to building sites.

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. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 61 million Americans volunteered in 2006. 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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