President George W. Bush will present the President’s Volunteer Service Award to Patricia Gray when he arrives at the airport in Nashville, Tennessee, on Wednesday, August 30, 2006.  Gray is a volunteer with the American Red Cross Nashville Area Chapter.  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 Gray, since March 2002.

Gray has been an Emergency Services and Disaster Response Volunteer with the American Red Cross Nashville Area Chapter for four years.  She has deployed to Florida, Alabama, and Virginia to assist with relief and recovery efforts following Hurricanes Ivan, Charley and Isabel.  Gray also volunteers during local disasters including fires and floods.  Following Hurricane Katrina, Gray worked full-time as the Red Cross Service Center Manager in Nashville.  She prepared volunteers for deployment to the Gulf Coast, maintained financial and training records and client casework.

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.

###