President George W. Bush will present the President’s Volunteer Service Award to Jim Shevlin when he arrives in New York, New York, on Tuesday, September 13, 2005. Shevlin is a volunteer with the American Red Cross in Greater New York. To thank them for making a difference in the lives of others, President Bush has met with over 450 individuals around the country, like Shevlin, since March 2002.

Shevlin has been a volunteer with the American Red Cross in Greater New York for two years. He is a Client Services caseworker for families who relocated to New York City after being displaced by Hurricane Katrina. Shevlin assists families with immediate physical and financial needs and directs them to appropriate resources for additional long-term assistance. Shevlin also instructs new Red Cross volunteers on the use of technical and administrative services including the phone system, the computerized data base and tracking system, and the Armed Forces Emergency Services website. In addition, Shevlin speaks to departing military Reserve units about the Armed Forces Emergency Services Program which keeps military personnel in touch with their families following emergencies or other important events.

In his January 2002 State of the Union Address, President Bush called on every American to dedicate two years or 4,000 hours over the course of their lives to volunteer service.  To help more Americans engage in volunteer service, he created USA Freedom Corps, an Office of the White House charged with strengthening and expanding 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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