President George W. Bush will present the President’s Volunteer Service Award to Buddy Shannon when he arrives in Wichita, Kansas, on Sunday, May 4, 2008. Shannon is a volunteer with Real Men, Real Heroes, Saint Mark United Methodist Church and Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters. To thank them for making a difference in the lives of others, President Bush honors a local volunteer when he travels throughout the United States. He has met with more than 600 volunteers, like Shannon, since March, 2002.

Shannon isa volunteer with Real Men, Real Heroes, a program that honors African-American men who arerole modelsin the areas of occupation, family and community. In cooperation with theWichita School District,Shannon hasvisited dozens of elementary, middle schools and high schoolsto talk withstudents about avoiding gangs and drugs,andthe ability to achieve success in life through academics,goal-settingandselecting appropriatementors.In addition, Shannon has been a volunteer BigBrotherfor three years with Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters. As the Lay Member at the Saint Mark United Methodist Church, Shannon teaches Bible study classes to senior high school students and is responsible for bringing the Amachi Mentoring Program and other community outreach ministries to the congregation.

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. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 61 million Americans volunteered in 2006. 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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