President George W. Bush will present the President’s Volunteer Service Award to Linda Fox when he arrives in Midland, Texas, on Saturday, October 4, 2008.  Fox is a volunteer with the Recording Library of West Texas. 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 650 volunteers, like Fox since March 2002.

Fox has been a volunteer reader at the Recording Library of West Texas for 23 years and has contributed over 4000 hours of service.  She has narrated more than 80 books which are distributed statewide through the Talking Book Program of the Texas State Library and used by the some 20,000 Texans with disabilities who are patrons of the program.   Fox also records books and magazine articles for local patrons who submit special requests.  In addition, she is a volunteer for the Midland Community Theater, the Midland Musicians Club, and is a volunteer pianist for the children’s choir program at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Midland.

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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