President George W. Bush will present the President’s Volunteer Service Award to Sandi Langley when he departs from the airport in Memphis, Tennessee, on Friday, June 30, 2006. Langley has been a volunteer with the Memphis Leadership Foundation’s For The Kingdom Camp and Retreat Center and First Evangelical Church. 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 Langley, since March 2002.

Following Hurricane Katrina, For The Kingdom Camp and Retreat Center, a faith-based support organization of the Memphis Leadership Foundation, opened its facilities to 45 evacuees from the New Orleans area. Langley worked as the volunteer coordinator and led the mobilization of 130 volunteer families. For five weeks, the volunteers worked at the camp facilities and helped evacuees with food, clothing, school supplies, transportation and medical attention. In addition, Susan is a volunteer at the First Evangelical Church where she serves on the Mission Board which supports 50 missionaries, worldwide.

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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