President George W. Bush will present the President’s Volunteer Service Award to Rob Mullin, Jr., when he arrives at the airport in Kansas City, Missouri, on Tuesday, March, 20, 2007.  Mullin is a volunteer with beHeadStrong.  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.  President Bush has met with more than 575 individuals around the country, like Mullin, since March 2002.

Mullin, a four-year brain cancer survivor, is a volunteer and Board Member with beHeadStrong. This organization, in partnership with The Tug McGraw Foundation, provides support and funding to families dealing with brain cancer.  Mullin helps educate the public and generate awareness about brain tumors.  He was instrumental in establishing a hotline to provide counseling and support to brain cancer patients, caregivers and family members.  Mullin works with retail stores and service professionals who donate resources to assist cancer patients and their families with food preparation, lawn care and home cleaning services.  In addition, Mullin assists with event planning for beHeadStrong, including the annual Auction and Dinner Party, which helps fund national research in the fight against brain cancer.

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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