President George W. Bush will present the President’s Volunteer Service Award to Patty Murphy when he arrives at the airport in Las Vegas Nevada, on Monday, April 24, 2006. Murphy volunteers with the Medical Reserve Corps of Clark County. To thank them for making a difference in the lives of others, President Bush has met with more than 490 individuals around the country, like Murphy, since March 2002.

Murphy is a volunteer nurse with the Medical Reserve Corps of Clark County. In September 2005 she deployed to Mobile, Alabama, to work on the M.S. Holiday, a cruise ship that temporarily housed evacuees following Hurricane Katrina. Murphy worked for two weeks with a team of heath care professionals to provide medical care for the evacuees. The Medical Reserve Corps of Clark County facilitates the use of health care volunteers in the community and within the Southern Nevada Health District. Volunteers are categorized as medical, nursing, pharmacy, mental health, veterinary, or support and are provided with training related to local response and weapons of mass destruction. They also assist with immunization clinics, education, and outbreak support.

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. 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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