President George W. Bush will present the President’s Volunteer Service Award to Keela Carr when he arrives in Orlando, Florida, on Wednesday, August 20, 2008.  Carr recently completed a cross-country walk to demonstrate support of all Soldiers and Veterans, and is a Volunteer Ambassador with Freedom Team Salute.  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 650 volunteers, like Carr, since March 2002.

In 2007 Carr visited wounded Soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington D.C., and was profoundly impacted by their service and sacrifice on behalf of all Americans.  In an effort to honor all Soldiers and Veterans and thank them personally, Carr decided to walk across the United States in what she called her Journey of a Thousand Thanks.  On May 26, 2008, Carr began in Barstow, California, and walked nearly 2,700 miles before completing her journey at Arlington National Cemetery on August 8. She financed the walk by selling most of her possessions and enlisting help from private donations for shoes, travel, and lodging expenses. For her efforts Carr was recognized by the U.S. Army's Freedom Team Salute Program and named its 500th Volunteer Ambassador. Freedom Team Salute is a U.S. Army program that gives the public the opportunity to thank Army Veterans for their service by recognizing them with commendations. 

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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