President George W. Bush will present the President’s Volunteer Service Award to Elaine Nickovich when he arrives at the airport in Reno, Nevada, on Monday, October 2, 2006. Nickovich is a volunteer with the Volunteers in Police Service Program SMART, the Citizen’s Homeland Security Council, and the Emblem Club. To thank them for making a difference in the lives of others, President Bush honors a local volunteer, called a USA Freedom Corps Greeter, when he travels throughout the United States. President Bush has met with more than 500 individuals around the country, like Nickovich, since March 2002.

Nickovich is President of SMART, the Sheriff’s Mobile Auxiliary Response Team. SMART volunteers assist the Washoe County Sheriff’s office with traffic control, electronic fingerprinting for children, the Victim’s Impact Panel, and clerical support. Nickovich is also a volunteer with two Citizen Corps programs including the Citizen’s Homeland Security Council and the Community Emergency Response Team. During local emergencies such as snowstorms and floods, Nickovich mans the phones at the Emergency Operations Center and assists the public with requests for food, medical supplies, and other needs. Nickovich has been a volunteer for 40 years with the Emblem Club, a philanthropic organization which supports local charities.

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.

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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