Desiree T. Sayle, Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of USA Freedom Corps, presented the President’s Volunteer Service Award to Angelina, Gabrieland Sophie Winbush; Joe Melson; and Morgan Rioux at the 2006 White House Easter Egg Roll on April 17, 2006.  To honor young people who have made a difference, the White House invited hundreds of outstanding youth volunteers to be special guests for the Easter Egg Roll, the theme of this year's event being "Children Who Volunteer".

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.

Angelina (age 11), Gabriel (age 9) and Sophie Winbush (age 6) have been volunteering to help a Somali family through the Pittsburgh Refugee Center for almost a year now.  The family, which fled Somalia in the early 1990's, lived in a refugee camp in Kenya for over a decade until finally arriving in the United States about one and a half years ago. The sisters have visited the family almost weekly, helping take the family shopping - which not only includes the usual grocery store shopping, but visiting Halal butchers where they, an Islamic family, can purchase meat, and scouring the markets for green bananas, a staple of their diet. We have also taken them to museums, the zoo, playgrounds, doctor and hospital visits, and the oldest daughter attends all an day musical theater with Angelina at a nearby church weekly.
Receiving the Gold Level of the Presidential Volunteer Service Award from Director Sayle, Joe Melson, a 12 year old 7th grader attending Thurgood Marshall Extended Elementary School, participates in the Young Heroes program and is held in high regard by his peers, characterized by his team leader as considerate, a team player, intellectually curious, and socially conscience.  Outside of Young Heroes, Melson takes part in the Ward 7 Higher Achievement Program, is an avid poet, and every year takes part of the Fannie Mae Walk for the Homeless.
Nine year old Morgan Rioux is a member of Cub Scout Pack 20, Toms River.  Deciding to help others this holiday season, Rioux organized a hat and glove drive for children in Afghanistan and Iraq and enlisted his fellow scouts and classmates to help.  Within the first week, the collection bin at Walnut Street Elementary School contained more than 100 new hats and gloves.

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.  For more information about the President's Volunteer Service Award, please visit www.presidentialserviceawards.gov.

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In his January 2002 State of the Union Address, President Bush called on all Americans to make a difference in their communities and across the globe through volunteer service. He created USA Freedom Corps, an Office of the White House, to help Americans answer his Call to Service. Visit www.volunteer.gov or call 1-877-USA-CORPS to find an existing volunteer service opportunity and to find more information about volunteer service programs.

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