New Orleans, LA – A second-grade teacher from Minnesota, a former Miss America from Alabama, an electrician from California, and a retired police officer from Idaho – one by one, Americans have shown their selflessness and in turn have received the President’s Volunteer Service Award for their commitment to service.

Indeed, half a million people now have received a President’s Volunteer Service Award for helping their communities and nation. Today, Austin Marks, who returned to his native New Orleans to help the city rebuild after Hurricane Katrina, became the 500,000th person to receive the honor when President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation Chair Jean Case bestowed the milestone award upon him.

“It’s inspiring to meet a group of accomplished young people who place a priority on helping others,” said Case, who presented the award to Marks, four other young volunteers, and a foundation during the Association of Small Foundations national conference in New Orleans. “Each of the individuals we recognize today is a shining example of the values that make America great - compassion, willingness to help those in need, and a recognition of the importance of community service.”

The President’s Volunteer Service Award was created by President George W. Bush and is issued by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation to recognize and encourage sustained volunteer service, and to make volunteering a central part of the lives of all Americans.

“As we mark the 500,000 milestone, and recognize Austin Marks’ volunteer commitment, we take this opportunity to honor all of America’s volunteers – the more than 65 million who give of themselves every day fulfilling unmet needs and providing hope to those at home and abroad,” said Kari Dunn, executive director of the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation, which is administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service.

Marks, 21, was born and raised in New Orleans. While attending Syracuse University in New York, Hurricane Katrina made landfall, and Marks knew he had to return home to help rebuild his hometown. He enrolled at Tulane University and began to serve with New Orleans City Park, where he oversees the donor database and helps manage thousands of volunteers. Marks has a history of service at home and abroad – he served as a teacher for the Breakthrough Collaborative, a national nonprofit that increases educational opportunities for low-income middle school students with high potential. He has also traveled to India, where he provided social and health services for Tibetan refugees, took part in medical sessions at Mother Theresa's Home for Dying Destitutes, and worked with children at the Tibetan Children's Village, founded by the Dalai Lama.

Also receiving a President’s Volunteer Service Award on behalf of their collective volunteer efforts was the Board of Directors of the Azby Fund, one of New Orleans' largest family foundations. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the Azby Fund donated $1.1 million and many hours of volunteer service to help clean up and restore New Orleans City Park's Botanical Garden and Storyland. Together, board members have contributed thousands of hours of service to their community. Members have volunteered as police reserve officers; art, music, and history preservationists; tutors and mentors; and leaders on scores of boards and community organizations.

Other recipients of the President’s Volunteer Service Award at today’s presentation are as follow:

Annie Legrand, 15, is in the 10th grade at Mt. Carmel Academy, where she is a member of the student council, on the principal's honor roll, and is in the Spanish National Honor Society. For the past four years, Annie has been a volunteer at City Park, working on the Katrina Clean Sweep program and many fundraisers. Annie also served as president of the Junior Division of the American Legion Unit 175 and a as a counselor at a children's bible camp.

La’Tiesha Hinton, 21, is a pre-med student at Xavier University. She started volunteering with the Girl Scouts at Xavier three years ago and has recently become a Scout Program Coordinator, managing programs that promote scouting values. La’Tiesha has also participated in several service projects focused on the beautification and rebuilding of New Orleans. She has also helped boost school spirit and help students adjust to campus life after the storm. La’Tiesha and several of her classmates and faculty members were stranded in one of the residence halls on campus during Hurricane Katrina. Instead of discouraging her, this experience made La’Tiesha appreciate her school and the unique New Orleans culture even more – and was integral to her decision to return to Xavier.

Sara Laughlin, 21, is a senior at Loyola University, majoring in elementary education. She is a New Orleans native and began volunteering at City Park when she was 16 years old. In the past year she has served more than 350 volunteer hours in the Summer Camp program. Sarah has also served as a student docent at the New Orleans Museum of Art.

Courtney Anthony, 22, is a second-year pharmacy student from Houston, Texas, who attends Xavier. Courtney has participated in numerous volunteer activities, ranging from mentoring and literacy to special populations. She is currently a coordinator of Girl Scouts at Xavier. She also participates in Homework Clinic, local neighborhood clean-ups, painting schools, and citywide events like Boo at the Zoo. Courtney decided to return to Xavier because of her desire to assist in the rebuilding efforts.

The 25-member President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation was given a charge by President Bush to promote an ethic of service and to recognize the millions of Americans who are giving back to their communities through generous acts of service. Administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service, together with the USA Freedom Corps, the Council brings together leaders from the worlds of business, entertainment, sports, education, government, nonprofits, and the media to promote their efforts. To date, more than 16,500 organizations are part of the Council’s network and together they honor America’s volunteers with the President’s Volunteer Service Award. To learn more about the Council and its members, please visit http://www.volunteer.gov. To learn more about the President’s Volunteer Service Award Program, administered by the Points of Light Foundation and Volunteer Center National Network please visit, http://www.presidentialserviceawards.gov.

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