President George W. Bush will present the President’s Volunteer Service Award to Mickey Peters of Pennsylvania Furnace when he arrives in University Park, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday, June 14, 2005. Peters has been a volunteer with the Centre County Cooperative Extension 4-H program for more than 40 years. To thank them for making a difference in the lives of others, President Bush has met with more than 400 individuals around the country, like Peters, since March 2002.

As a 4-H volunteer Peters helps future agricultural leaders develop leadership skills, responsibility and a commitment to community service. She plans workshops and educational clinics on livestock breeding, feeding, and grooming, and accompanies students on community service projects for local food banks, neighborhood clean-up programs and Special Olympics. Peters also helped establish a scholarship program for local 4-H members. In addition, Peters is an active volunteer at Gatesburg Lutheran Church and has served on the Ferguson Township planning and zoning committees.

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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