President George W. Bush will present the President’s Volunteer Service Award to Gerris Farris when he arrives in Cleveland, Ohio on Tuesday, July 10, 2007. Farris is a volunteer with RSVP of Greater Cleveland. To thank them for making a difference in the lives of others, President Bush honors a local volunteer when he travels throughout the United States. President Bush has met with more than 575 individuals around the country, like Farris, since March 2002.

Farris is a volunteer with Experience Corps, a program of RSVP of Greater Cleveland. For two years she has been a mentor and tutor for fifth-grade students at Scranton Elementary School. In addition to helping students improve their reading and math skills, Farris accompanies them on field trips and has formed a youth Chess Club at the school. Farris also served as an AmeriCorps volunteer at Scranton Elementary School from 2003 through 2005.

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. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 61 million Americans volunteered in 2006. 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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