President George W. Bush will present the President’s Volunteer Service Award to Linda Smith when he arrives at the airport in Memphis, Tennessee, on Wednesday, September 27, 2006.  Smith is a volunteer with Service Over Self, the Lester Community Center and Lester School.  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 Smith, since March 2002.

Smith has been a volunteer for 12 years with Service Over Self, a home repair ministry of Christ Methodist Church.  This program utilizes volunteers to repair and renovate housing for homeowners who are physically or financially incapable of maintaining their homes.  During 10 weeks each summer more than 1,500 youth come to the Service Over Self Camp and volunteer their time to assist with projects on homes in the Binghampton area of Memphis.  Smith organizes the camp’s kitchen operation and is responsible for meal planning and preparation for nearly 300 meals each day.  Smith is also a volunteer at Lester Community Center’s After-School Program where she tutors and directs activities for children.  She also leads the Lester School Girl Scout Troop for inner-city girls and once per week she leads a spiritual discipleship group for 16-year-old girls.

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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