Actor Barry Pepper will present President’s Volunteer Service Awards to the more than 3,000 volunteers participating in Habitat for Humanity’s Jimmy Carter Work Project (JCWP) during closing ceremonies at 6 p.m., November 1, in Los Angeles. Pepper, best known for his work in the movies Saving Private Ryan and Flags of Our Fathers, and the other volunteers are spending this week building or rehabilitating 100 homes in South Los Angeles and San Pedro.

The volunteers are working alongside former U.S. President and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Jimmy Carter, his wife Rosalynn, city and state officials, and Habitat for Humanity leaders. An additional 150 JCWP homes will be funded for construction and repair in 2008 and 2009 in support of Habitat for Humanity’s ongoing effort to eliminate substandard housing in greater Los Angeles.

The award presentation will be the largest presentation of PVSAs since the award was established by President Bush in 2003. Also during the closing event, the location of the 2008 JCWP will be announced.

After challenging all Americans to contribute 4,000 hours to service during their lifetimes, President Bush established the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation to recognize the important contributions Americans of all ages are making within their communities through service and civic engagement. Administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service, the Council brings together leaders from the worlds of business, entertainment, sports, education, government, nonprofits, and the media. One of the first priorities of the Council was to establish a volunteer recognition program. Since 2003, the Council has recognized more than 600,000 Americans with the President’s Volunteer Service Award. To learn more about the Award or to register your organization for the program, visit http://www.presidentialserviceawards.gov.

The Corporation for National and Community Service improves lives, strengthens communities, and fosters civic engagement through service and volunteering. Providing service opportunities for millions of Americans of all ages and backgrounds, Corporation programs include Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America. For more information, visit http://www.nationalservice.gov.

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