At a White House reception today, 51 Miss America contestants were presented with the President’s Volunteer Service Award for their dedication to 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. To date, more than 80,000 of America’s volunteers have received the Award.

Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of USA Freedom Corps Desiree T. Sayle was joined by Executive Director of the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation Kari Dunn to present the Award to the Miss America contestants.

“President Bush intended for the President’s Volunteer Service Award to honor outstanding volunteers and to encourage more Americans to join in the effort of strengthening their neighborhoods and our Nation through their service,” Sayle said. “The Miss America contestants who received the Award today have dedicated themselves to service. These women serve as role models to many, and I hope their example of community service encourages others throughout the Nation to give back to their communities.”

Before receiving the President’s Volunteer Service Award, the contestants were addressed byAssistant to the President and Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Harriet Miers, and Assistant to the President for Homeland Security Frances Fragos Townsend.

The new Miss America is scheduled to be crowned on Saturday, September 18, 2004.

President Bush hascalled on all Americans to volunteer two years or 4,000 hours over the course of their lifetimes. Through USA Freedom Corps, President Bush wants to help every American answer the Call to Service by strengthening and expanding service opportunities to protect our homeland, support our communities, and extend American compassion around the world. Interested volunteers can find information at www.usafreedomcorps.gov.

The President's Council and the President's Volunteer Service Awards are administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service. More information about the Council and the Award program is available at www.presidentialserviceawards.gov.

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