President George W. Bush will present the President’s Volunteer Service Award to Susan Hoskins when he arrives at the airport in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, January 25, 2007.  Hoskins is a volunteer with the Mid-America Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) which serves the Kansas City metropolitan area. MRC, a program partner of Citizen Corps, was created in 2002 to augment public health and medical disaster response in local communities.  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 550 individuals around the country, like Hoskins, since March 2002.

Hoskins has been a volunteer with the Mid-America MRC since its inception in 2002 and has served as the Unit Commander for two years.  She assists with recruitment and training of new volunteers and helps deploy volunteers to provide medical assistance at the Kansas City Free Health Clinic, health fairs and first-aid stations at charity walks. Hoskins also helped mobilize volunteers to assist at the processing center for evacuees following Hurricane Katrina.  In addition, Hoskins and MRC volunteers also respond to public health emergencies and participate in training exercises with local Public Health and Emergency Management personnel.

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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