President George W. Bush will present the President’s Volunteer Service Award to Heather Shufelt when he arrives at the airport in Birmingham, Alabama, on Thursday, September 28, 2006.  Shufelt is a volunteer with Hands On Birmingham and a variety of other community organizations. To thank them for making a difference in the lives of others, President Bush honors a local volunteer, called a USA Freedom Corps Greeter, when he travels throughout the United States.  President Bush has met with more than 500 individuals around the country, like Shufelt, since March 2002.

Shufelt is a project coordinator with Hands On Birmingham, a volunteer program which has connected more than 3,800 volunteers to community service opportunities in the Birmingham area.  She is the youngest member to serve on the Board of Directors and was named the 2005 Volunteer of the Year.  Shufelt is also a volunteer with the Birmingham Salvation Army and the Birmingham YWCA.  She works in the Career Programs department assisting clients with resume preparation and job interview skills.  Shufelt is also a volunteer for special events with Children’s Charities, Inc. and the Greater Birmingham Humane Society where she cares for animals six mornings a week. In addition, she teaches jazz and ballet classes at the Children’s Village and the Birmingham YWCA.

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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