President George W. Bush will present the President’s Volunteer Service Award to Ruth Wilson when he arrives in Jackson, Mississippi, on Tuesday, May 3, 2005. Wilson is life-long volunteer and works with several church and community organizations including the Mount Wade Missionary Baptist Church, the Corporate Volunteer Council, the Hinds County Mental Health Commission, and the Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service. To thank volunteers for making a difference in the lives of others, President Bush has met with more than 400 individuals around the country, like Wilson, since March 2002.

Wilson developed a leadership training program at Mount Wade Missionary Baptist Church in Terry, Mississippi, to help identify and meet needs within the community. The program resulted in the establishment of a food pantry, academic tutoring program, clothes closet, and transportation service for the elderly. She also founded the Corporate Volunteer Council to utilize the resources of businesses and corporations to meet needs within the community. As a volunteer with the Hinds County Mental Health Commission, Wilson established training workshops and community forums to help insure quality treatment for the mentally ill. In addition, Wilson is a founding board member of the Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service.

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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