President George W. Bush will present the President’s Volunteer Service Award to Sonya McDonald when he arrives in San Antonio, Texas, on Monday, October 6, 2008.  McDonald is a volunteer with Fisher House and Returning Heroes Home. 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 McDonald, since March 2002.

In January 2006, while her husband was deployed to Iraq, McDonald spearheaded a fundraising effort to benefit Fisher House, a national foundation that provides military families a home away from home so they can be near their loved ones during hospitalization for illness or injury.   Her goal was to raise $200,000 between Memorial Day and Independence Day 2006.  To accomplish this, McDonald developed and implemented a marketing plan and solicited help from local businesses and organizations. As a result of her efforts more than $217,000 was raised.  Her employer, Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union, matched and exceeded that amount and the funds were given to support the Fisher Houses at Fort Sam Houston which opened in January 2007. In addition, McDonald is on the Board of Directors for Returning Heroes Home, an organization that is building a 12,000-square-foot house at Fort Sam Houston where military members and their families can learn how to cope with war-related injuries.   The house, due to open in December, will include a family room, kitchen facilities, an education center, and a play area for children.   McDonald remains active in fundraising and marketing efforts to benefit the project.

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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