President George W. Bush will present the President’s Volunteer Service Award to Bob Woodard when he arrives in Pensacola, Florida, on Friday, March 18, 2005. Woodard, 67, is an active volunteer with the Youth Motivator Mentor Program where he mentors 12 students in elementary and middle school, helping them with academics and providing encouragement and motivation.

President Bush has called on all Americans to volunteer two years or 4,000 hours over the course of their lifetimes, and he created USA Freedom Corps to help foster a culture of service, citizenship, and responsibility. Since March 2002, President Bush has met with more than 400 individuals around the country, like Woodard, who are answering the call to volunteer service.

Woodard also reads to elementary school students at Ensley Elementary School and helped organize hurricane-related food, supply, and clothing drives for the school. In addition, Woodard was recognized as the Region 1 Outstanding Senior Volunteer by the Florida Department of Education.

The President's Volunteer Service Award, an initiative of the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation, is available to Americans of all ages who have demonstrated their dedication to volunteer service. More information about the award is available at www.presidentialserviceawards.gov.

Through USA Freedom Corps, President Bush wants to help every American answer the Call to Service by strengthening and expanding service opportunities. Interested volunteers can find available service opportunities in their communities at www.usafreedomcorps.gov or by calling 1-877-USA-CORPS. For information designed to show elementary and middle school students how they can start making a difference by volunteering, visit www.usafreedomcorpskids.gov.

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