President George W. Bush will present the President’s Volunteer Service Award to Nick Marriam when he arrives in Raleigh, North Carolina, on Friday, June 20, 2008.  Marriam, 15, is the co-founder of the Nickelby Project and a volunteer with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  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.  He has met with more than 600 volunteers, like Marriam, since March 2002.

At the age of six, Marriam was diagnosed with T-cell lymphoma and missed two years of school while he was hospitalized fighting the cancer. Following his treatment, Marriam wanted to find a way to bring hope and encouragement to children battling serious illnesses.  He sought donations of cash, toys, and games and created gift bags for patients at Children's National Medical Center in Washington DC, where he was diagnosed and treated.  When his family moved to Raleigh in 2003, Marriam and his cousin, Shelby McKnew, turned his idea into a non-profit called the Nickelby Project. Marriam conducts fundraisers, writes grant proposals, shops, assembles and delivers gift bags to pediatric wards at hospitals in North Carolina, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington DC. The Nickelby Project recently launched a scholarship program to benefit childhood cancer survivors and students pursuing a pediatric oncology field of study. Additionally, Marriam is active with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and volunteers for the annual Relay for Life event.

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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