President George W. Bush presented the President’s Volunteer Service Award to Junior Seau of San Diego, 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.

Seau established the Junior Seau Foundation in 1992 to raise money and resources for programs that inspire young people to face life’s challenges with enthusiasm, hope, and dignity. Seau spends over 40 volunteer hours per week giving back to the youth of San Diego.

An NFL linebacker, Seau played 13 years with the San Diego Chargers before being acquired by the Miami Dolphins in 2003. Among the many charitable causes he spearheads through the Junior Seau Foundation are the “Shop with a Jock” program and the Thanksgiving dinner event. Seau cites the “Shop with a Jock” program as his most important endeavor. Through this program he has recruited 200 professional and collegiate athletes to give a grant of $100 to a needy child during Christmas time and to help the child shop for presents for his or her family. Seau also raises funds for his annual Thanksgiving dinner. Each Thanksgiving, he gives a turkey dinner to over 650 underprivileged families. He is an extremely active participant in all the foundation’s initiatives, and spearheads the vast majority of them in his own personal time.

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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