President George W. Bush will present the President’s Volunteer Service Award to West Point cadet Heather DiSilvio, 22, when he arrives at the airport in Newburgh, New York, on Saturday, May 27, 2006. DiSilvio, a junior at West Point, is a volunteer with Army Community Service and The Catholic Chapel of the Most Holy Trinity. To thank them for making a difference in the lives of others, President Bush honors a local volunteer, called a USA Freedom Corps greeter, when he travels throughout the United States. President Bush has met with more than 500 individuals around the country, like DiSilvio, since March 2002.

DiSilvio is a volunteer with the Army Community Service Soldier and Family Readiness Program at West Point. She works with children from West Point and the surrounding area who have a parent deployed in military service. DiSilvio meets with the children once per month and also plans and participates in special activities for the children including field day events and arts and crafts projects. In addition, DiSilvio is a volunteer at The Catholic Chapel of the Most Holy Trinity at West Point. She coordinates the Sunday school program for kindergarten through eighth-grade students and also serves as a substitute teacher.

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.

###