President George W. Bush will present the President’s Volunteer Service Award to Cathy McAdoo when he arrives at the airport in Elko, Nevada, on Thursday, November 2, 2006. McAdoo is a volunteer with Calvary Baptist Church and a variety of community organizations including the National Guard Family Assistance Support Program. 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 550 individuals around the country, like McAdoo, since March 2002.

In 2004 McAdoo launched the National Guard Family Assistance Support Program as an outreach to deployed Elko County National Guardsmen and their families. She enlisted the assistance of community members and the United Way of the Great Basin to provide gift certificates and school supplies to military families. McAdoo sent letters of support and care packages to military spouses and active duty members serving in Iraq. She organized a Yellow Ribbon Campaign so community members would have a visible reminder of families with a loved one serving overseas and arranged a Welcome Home Celebration when the troops returned to Elko. McAdoo is an active volunteer at Calvary Baptist Church where she has taught Sunday school classes for 25 years. McAdoo and her husband also conducted church services once per month for 25 years at the Ruby Mountain Manor Nursing Home. In addition, she has organized a Community Caroling Program for 30 years as an outreach to local senior citizens and shut-ins during the holiday season.

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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