President George W. Bush will present the President’s Volunteer Service Award to Mary Rodgers when he arrives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Monday, December 12, 2005. Rodgers is a volunteer with Philabundance, a hunger relief organization in Philadelphia. To thank them for making a difference in the lives of others, President Bush has met with more than 450 individuals around the country, like Rodgers, since March 2002.

Rodgers has been a volunteer with Philabundance for more than six years. Philabundance collects donated surplus food and distributes it to local organizations serving people in need. The organization packages over 4,000 food boxeseach month. As the Quality Control Volunteer, Rodgers oversees the packaging of food boxes for distribution to low-income senior citizens and helped package more than 16,000 pounds of food for Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. In addition, Rodgersbrings students from Abington Senior High School to participate in community service programs at Philabundance.

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.  Studies show that approximately 5 million more Americans are volunteering today than just three years ago.  Go to www.usafreedomcorps.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.usafreedomcorpskids.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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