President George W. Bush presented the President’s Volunteer Service Award to Kathleen Nguyen of Huntington Beach, California in a ceremony in the East Room of the White House on May 26, 2005. The ceremony, part of a White House celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, was also attended by President Yudhoyono of Indonesia.

After the Tsunami disaster, Nguyen led a disaster relief effort by raising money in the Asian American communities in California and Texas. She raised approximately $1 million by devoting 40 volunteer hours per week toward fundraising efforts in the first eight weeks following the tsunami. The money was donated to the American Red Cross and to the fund established by former Presidents George Bush and Bill Clinton (is there an official name for this fund?), and she presented a large portion of the funds to former President George Bush at his office in Houston, Texas. In the subsequent weeks, Nguyen devoted at least two hours per day to promoting tsunami relief awareness and fundraising. Prior to working on Tsunami relief, Hguyen spent over 20 hours per week raising funds and providing education and awareness about human trafficking of women in Southeast Asia.

The President's Volunteer Service Award was created at the President’s direction by the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation and administered by the Corporation for National & Community Service. 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.

Visit www.usafreedomcorps.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.usafreedomcorpskids.gov for games and ideas designed to show how America's youth are making a difference.

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