President George W. Bush will present the President’s Volunteer Service Award to Lois Hagood when he arrives at the airport in Cleveland, Ohio, on Monday, March 20, 2006. Hagood is a volunteer with Experience Corps Cleveland. To thank them for making a difference in the lives of others, President Bush has met with more than 475 individuals around the country, like Hagood, since March 2002.

Hagood has been a volunteer for six years with Experience Corps Cleveland, acomponent of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). Experience Corps offersvolunteer service opportunitiesfor Americans over age 55 to serve as tutors and mentors to children in urban public schools and after-school programs. Hagood is a tutor four days per week at the Robert H. Jamison Computech Center in Cleveland.She helps first grade students develop and strengthen their reading skills. As the school’s Lead Volunteer, Hagood coordinates tutor training programs and provides support for the other Experience Corps Cleveland volunteers. In addition, she is a member of Team RSVP, a group of on-call volunteers who assist at civic events, festivals, and health fairs.

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.

###