President George W. Bush will present the President’s Volunteer Service Award to Doris Hickman when he arrives at the airport in Columbia, Missouri, on Tuesday, April 11, 2006. Hickman is a volunteer with the Foster Grandparent Program through Central Missouri Community Action. To thank them for making a difference in the lives of others, President Bush has met with more than 480 individuals around the country, like Hickman, since March 2002.

Hickman has been a volunteer for 19 years with the Foster Grandparent Program. She has volunteered more than 18,000 hours at the Jefferson City Day Care Center caring for children ages birth to two years. The Foster Grandparent Program is part of Senior Corps, a network of national service programs that provide older Americans the opportunity to put their life experiences to work for local communities. Foster Grandparents serve as mentors, tutors, and caregivers for at-risk children and youth with special needs through a variety of community organizations, including schools, hospitals, and correctional institutions.

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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