President George W. Bush will present the President’s Volunteer Service Award to Al Agellon when he arrives at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, on Monday, November 28, 2005. Agellon is a volunteer with the Tucson Police Department’s Police Assist Group (PAG). To thank them for making a difference in the lives of others, President Bush has met with over 450 individuals around the country, like Agellon, since March 2002.

Agellon has been a Tucson Police Department PAG volunteer for 12 years and has logged more than 400 hours in 2005. He is the volunteer coordinator and trainer and has standardized the field training program for all patrol service volunteers. Agellon also provides administrative assistance to the department and works in the field responding to traffic scenes, accident calls and police investigations. The Tucson Police Department’s PAG Unit is part of the national Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) program.

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. Studies show that approximately 5 million more Americans are volunteering today than just three years ago. Go to http://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 http://www.usafreedomcorpskids.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 http://www.presidentialserviceawards.gov.

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