President George W. Bush will present the President’s Volunteer Service Award to Anthony Blackwell, Sr., when he arrives in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, on Friday, November 11, 2005. Blackwell is a volunteer firefighter with the Mahanoy City Fire Department Citizens Fire Company. To thank them for making a difference in the lives of others, President Bush has met with over 450 individuals around the country, like Blackwell, since March 2002.

Blackwell has been a volunteer firefighter for more than 22 years. In addition to responding to emergency calls, Blackwell is the department’s administrative assistant. He prepares fire reports, collects information for insurance companies, and updates operating guidelines and regulations. Blackwell is the treasurer for the Volunteer Firefighters’ Relief Association. This non-profit organization provides insurance for volunteer firefighters, purchases fire equipment, and funds training expenses for volunteers.

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. Studies show that approximately 5 million more Americans are volunteering today than just three years ago. Go to http://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 http://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 http://www.presidentialserviceawards.gov.

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