President George W. Bush will present the President’s Volunteer Service Award to Puddy Seccombe when he arrives at the airport in Aurora, Colorado, on Friday, November, 3, 2006.  Seccombe is a volunteer with Save Our Youth and CP of Colorado.  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 550 individuals around the country, like Seccombe, since March 2002.

Seccombe is a volunteer mentor with Save Our Youth, a one-on-one mentoring program which provides adult mentors for urban youth.  She has been matched with her 17-year-old mentee for three years.  Save Our Youth volunteers help youth build long-term relationships with an adult and improve their emotional, spiritual and educational development. In addition, Seccombe is a volunteer with CP of Colorado, a local organization which benefits children and adults with cerebral palsy and other disabilities.  During her 40 years of volunteer service Seccombe has worked on fundraising efforts and grant proposals and has served as CP of Colorado’s President and Chairman of the Board.

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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