President George W. Bush will present the President’s Volunteer Service Award to Eugene Goss, 17, when he arrives at the airport in Erlanger, Kentucky, on Monday, April 3, 2006. Goss, a junior at Clark Montessori Junior and Senior High School, is a volunteer with Keep Cincinnati Beautiful. To thank them for making a difference in the lives of others, President Bush has met with more than 480 individuals around the country, like Goss, since March 2002.

Goss has been a volunteer for nearly three years with Keep Cincinnati Beautiful, a not-for-profit organization that promotes litter prevention, recycling, and community beautification in the Greater Cincinnati area. Goss is a member of a teenage acting troupe that performs The Wartville Wizard, a play with an environmental message adapted from the children’s book by Don Madden. The drama is presented once per month to elementary students in schools throughout Cincinnati. Through these performances, Goss has helped deputize more than 4,000 elementary school students as official litter patrol officers. In addition, Goss has been a volunteer for seven years at the Arden Courts of Kenwood Alzheimer’s Assisted Living Facility. Three times per month he plans activities and calls Bingo games for residents.

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. 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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