Phoenix, AZ – NASCAR driver Kasey Kahne, representing the President’s Council on Service & Civic Participation, will present the President’s Volunteer Service Award to the nonprofit Make A Difference and to Maricopa Community Colleges before the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race in Phoenix this Sunday, Nov. 12.

Kahne, driver of the #9 Dodge Dealers UAW Dodge, was appointed to the President’s Council earlier this year. He will bestow the honor to two local Phoenix area organizations during the pre-race festivities before the Checker Auto Parts 500 Presented by Pennzoil race at Phoenix International Raceway. President George W. Bush created the Award to recognize individuals and organizations that have provided outstanding volunteer service to their communities and nation.

“People and organizations are winners whenever they volunteer to serve their communities,” Kahne said. “I am proud to represent the President’s Council and to highlight the great contributions that these two organizations are making in the Phoenix community. They serve as an example to volunteers all across the country.”

Maricopa Community Colleges and Make A Difference were nominated for the award by the Community College National Center for Community Engagement. Dr. Ernie Lara, vice president of student affairs at Estrella Mountain Community College, one of the 10 Maricopa Community Colleges, will accept the award on behalf of volunteers of the Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD). Rhonda Oliver, President and CEO of Make A Difference, will accept on behalf of her volunteer network.

The Maricopa Community Colleges, a Learn and Serve America grantee for the past 12 years, are the largest provider of health care workers and job training in Arizona. They promote and support a strong ethic of service among students, faculty and employees. Between January and October of 2006 MCCCD faculty, student and employees provided more than 250,000 hours of service throughout Maricopa County. Projects include Martin Luther King Day of Service activities, Make a Difference Day, walk-a-thons, Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, tutoring, and mentoring young people in local communities.

Make A Difference mobilizes volunteers, develops and manages innovative programs, and cultivates service leaders to create strong and vibrant communities. Between January and September 2006 volunteers at Make a Difference provided more than 21,600 hours of service throughout Maricopa County. Projects included preparing meals for the underserved, literacy programs for youth, working in food banks, recreational outings for children and adults in group homes and shelters, trail and park cleanups, civic education workshops, and large-scale service events such as MLK Day of Service and Serve-A-Thon.

The President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation strives to promote and recognize outstanding volunteer service and raise awareness of the many ways in which Americans can help meet the needs of individuals within their communities and around the world. 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 learn more about the Council and its members 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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