FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, July 28, 2006
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The White House - USA Freedom Corps
Contact: Press Office Phone: 202-456-7381 |
President Bush to Recognize Miami Woman for Dedication to Volunteer Service |
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President George W. Bush will present the President’s Volunteer Service Award to Dorcas Piegari when he arrives at the airport in Miami, Florida, on Sunday, July 30, 2006. Piegari is a volunteer with Hands On Miami, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami, and the State of Florida Guardian ad Litem Program. 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 Piegari, since March 2002.
Piegari has been a volunteer with Hands On Miami for three years. Hands On Miami offers community service opportunities with flexible time commitments which enable volunteers to serve once per week, or month, according to their availability. Piegari is one of the coordinators for the Baby Care and Read to Me projects at the Family Resource Center, a shelter for disadvantaged children. She was named Hands On Miami’s Project Coordinator of the Year in April 2006. Piegari has also been a volunteer for two years with the State of Florida Guardian ad Litem Program. Through this program, she serves as a child advocate in the judicial system representing the best interests of abused and neglected children. In addition, Piegari is a volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami. She has been paired with her Little Sister for eight 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.
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