President George W. Bush will present the President’s Volunteer Service Award to Dave Kruger when he arrives at the airport in Chicago, Illinois, on Thursday, July 6, 2006.  Kruger is a volunteer with the United Service Organizations (USO) of Illinois.  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 Kruger, since March 2002.

Kruger has been a volunteer with the United Service Organizations of Illinois for two years. He volunteers every weekend at the Home Away From Home Centers located at Naval Station Great Lakes and Chicago O’Hare International Airport. Kruger provides information, assistance, and resources to troops visiting the USO facilities. He also coordinates the purchase and delivery of supplies used to prepare meals for military personnel visiting the Home Away From Home Centers. Twice per month, Kruger volunteers at the Great Lakes USO’s “No-Dough Dinner,” a complimentary meal program for the troops. He also greets service members arriving at O’Hare International Airport and briefs them on USO services and programs. Throughout the past two years, Kruger has volunteered more than 1,300 hours and assisted more than 4,500 service personnel.

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.

###