President George W. Bush will present the President’s Volunteer Service Award to John Herrmann when he arrives in Westfield, New Jersey, on Friday, March 4, 2005. Herrmann, 76, is an active volunteer with the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (R.S.V.P.) of Union County.

President Bush has called on all Americans to volunteer two years or 4,000 hours over the course of their lifetimes, and he created USA Freedom Corpsto help foster a culture of service, citizenship, and responsibility. Since March 2002, President Bush has met with more than 400 individuals around the country, like Herrmann, who are answering the call to volunteer service.

Herrmann provides tax counseling for disabled, low income, and elderly individuals. In 2004, he completed over 85 tax forms for developmentally disabled taxpayers. Each year, Herrmann receives state and federal tax training to qualify as a volunteer tax counselor. Through his work, many people have received earned income credits, tax refunds, and homestead rebates. In addition, Herrmann works in the R.S.V.P. administrative offices providing computer assistance to the staff. R.S.V.P. is part of Senior Corps, a network of national service programs that provides older Americans the opportunity to apply their life experience to meeting community needs. Senior Corps is a program of the Corporation for National and Community Service, and is a vital component of USA Freedom Corps.

The President's Volunteer Service Award, an initiative of the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation, is available to Americans of all ages who have demonstrated their dedication to volunteer service. More information about the award is available at www.presidentialserviceawards.gov.

Through USA Freedom Corps, President Bush wants to help every American answer the Call to Service by strengthening and expanding service opportunities. Interested volunteers can find available service opportunities in their communities at www.usafreedomcorps.gov or by calling 1-877-USA-CORPS. For information designed to show elementary and middle school students how they can start making a difference by volunteering, visit www.usafreedomcorpskids.gov.

At the direction of President George W. Bush, USA Freedom Corps is also working with former President George Bush and former President Bill Clinton as they lead a nationwide charitable fundraising effort to encourage private donations to the tsunami relief effort. Americans are asked to donate money to the organizations listed at www.usafreedomcorps.gov.

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