President George W. Bush will present the President’s Volunteer Service Award to Marvin Bardo when he arrives at the airport in Indianapolis, Indiana, on Friday, March 24, 2006. Bardo is a volunteer with the Kappa League mentoring program. To thank them for making a difference in the lives of others, President Bush has met with more than 480 individuals around the country, like Bardo, since March 2002.

Bardo is president of the Indianapolis Alumni chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi. Ten years ago he co-founded the Kappa League, a mentoring program for high school males that stresses postsecondary education and trains students to be role models and community leaders. The Kappa League offers bi-monthly mentoring programs to students from North Central, Pike, and Lawrence Central high schools in Indianapolis. Bardo plans educational seminars, social events, and volunteer service projects for the students.

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. Go to www.volunteer.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.volunteerkids.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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