President George W. Bush will present the President’s Volunteer Service Award to John “Buzz” Garlock when he arrives at the airport in Omaha, Nebraska, on Tuesday, June 6, 2006. Garlock is a volunteer with Girls and Boys Town. 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 Garlock, since March 2002.

Garlock has been a volunteer with Girls and Boys Town for more than 15 years. Girls and Boys Town is non-profit organization that provides for the care and treatment of severely at-risk youth. Garlock is an assistant coach for the Boys Town High School basketball team, winners of the Class C-1 2006 state championship. He also assists with fundraising efforts for the Girls and Boys Town summer camp at Lake Okoboji and helped procure the donation of life jackets, fishing poles and outdoor equipment for the youth. In addition, Garlock helps sponsor a basic investment class for youth at Wegner Middle School and is a mentor with the Girls and Boys Town FAME Reading and Mentoring Program at Wegner Middle School.

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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