President George W. Bush will present the President’s Volunteer Service Award to Gloria Sanchez when he arrives in San Antonio, Texas, on Thursday, November 8, 2007.  Sanchez is a volunteer with the Bexar County Emergency Scene Rehab, Citizens On Patrol and the Community Emergency Response Team.  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.  He has met with more than 600 volunteers, like Sanchez, since March 2002.

Sanchez is a volunteer with the Bexar County Emergency Scene Rehab (ESR). This program, a partner of Citizen Corps, provides on-scene support services such as food, medical care, and shelter for fire, police and EMS personnel in a 12-county area.  Sanchez helped establish the ESR South Unit and serves as the team leader for volunteers.  In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Sanchez logged 300 hours of volunteer service setting up shelters, sorting donated items, assisting evacuees and feeding emergency personnel and volunteers.  In addition, she serves on the Executive Board for Citizens On Patrol, is an active volunteer and board member for the Ata-Bexar Volunteer Fire and EMS Department, and is an instructor for the Community Emergency Response Team for Bexar County.

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.

###