President George W. Bush will present the President’s Volunteer Service Award to Daisy VanDenburgh when he arrives at the airport in New Orleans, Louisiana, on Thursday, January 12, 2006. VanDenburgh is a reading volunteer with the Tulane Community Outreach Literacy Program. To thank them for making a difference in the lives of others, President Bush has met with more than 450 individuals around the country, like VanDenburgh, since March 2002.

VanDenburgh has been a volunteer with the Tulane Community Outreach Literacy Program for ten years. As a reading volunteer in the “For the Children” program, she helps low-performing elementary students learn to read. VanDenburgh is on the Advisory Board for Agenda for Children, Louisiana’s statewide child advocacy agency. She is a past member of the Advisory Board of Trinity Episcopal School’s Education Enrichment 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 6 million more Americans are volunteering today than in 2001. Go to 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.

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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