President George W. Bush will present the President’s Volunteer Service Award to Nancy Arnold when he arrives in Erlanger, Kentucky on Monday, October 6, 2008.  Arnold is a volunteer with The Thank You Foundation, the Cincinnati Military Support Group and the Cincinnati Area Chapter of American Red Cross. 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 Arnold, since March 2002.

Arnold serves on the Board of Directors for The Thank You Foundation. This organization expresses gratitude to members of the Armed Forces, past and present, by distributing thank-you cards and certificates, sending care packages to deployed troops, visiting veterans in care facilities, and providing complimentary tickets to service members for sporting and entertainment events. In 2002, Arnold also helped establish the Cincinnati Military Support Group which provides information, support and encouragement, to family and friends of deployed service members.  In addition, Arnold volunteers with the Cincinnati Area Chapter of the American Red Cross in programs that provide assistance to military personnel and their families, including emergency communication services and financial aid.

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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