President George W. Bush will present the President’s Volunteer Service Award to Tom Bailey Jr., when he arrives at the airport in St. Louis, Missouri, on Thursday, October 12, 2006.  Bailey is a volunteer with 100 Black Men of America Inc., and 100 Black Men of Metropolitan St. Louis. 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 Bailey, since March 2002.
 
Bailey is the national Events and Convention Chairman for 100 Black Men of America, Inc., a national non-profit organization committed to the intellectual development of youth and the economic empowerment of the African-American community based on respect for family, spirituality, and integrity.  Bailey is also the founder and chairman of the 100 Black Men of Metropolitan St. Louis Prostate Cancer Survivors and Awareness Walk.  The walk is an annual event designed to raise awareness, educate, and encourage men to be proactive in the fight against prostate cancer. 

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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