President George W. Bush will present the President’s Volunteer Service Award to George-Ann Schauffele when he arrives in Rochester, New York, on Tuesday, May 24, 2005. Schauffele is a volunteer with Literacy Volunteers of Rochester, Inc. To thank them for making a difference in the lives of others, President Bush has met with more than 400 volunteers around the country, like Schauffele, since March 2002.

Schauffele has been an active volunteer with Literacy Volunteers of Rochester, Inc. for 22 years. She tutors functionally illiterate adults in basic reading and English language skills and works with immigrants and refugees in the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program. In addition, Schauffele is a certified tutor trainer and conducts annual workshops to improve teaching methods and has been instrumental in revising and improving training curriculum.

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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