President George W. Bush will present the President’s Volunteer Service Award to Leah Hunkins when he arrives at Langley Air Force Base on Saturday, October 7, 2006.  Hunkins is a volunteer with several military programs including Heart Link and Operation Hero. 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 Hunkins, since March 2002.

During the past six years Hunkins has volunteered nearly 1,000 hours to the Heart Link Spouses Orientation Program at Langley Air Force Base.  The Heart Link program helps educate and support new Air Force spouses.  Hunkins has created hundreds of handmade wooden lapel pins to distribute to all Heart Link participants.  She also volunteers with Operation Hero, an annual simulated deployment program for children.  This program is designed to help military dependent children gain a better understanding of what happens to their parents when they deploy.  In addition, Hunkins is a volunteer with the People with Attentional and Developmental Disabilities Association (PADDA), a community resource which provides educational advocacy on behalf of special needs children.  Each month Hunkins provides respite care for children with special needs.

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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