President George W. Bush will present the President’s Volunteer Service Award to Mary Nelson Adams when he arrives at the airport in Savannah, Georgia, on Thursday, September 7, 2006.  Adams is a volunteer with United Service Organizations (USO) Georgia.  To thank them for making a difference in the lives of others, President Bush honors a local volunteer, called a USA Freedom Corps Greeter, when he travels throughout the United States.  President Bush has met with more than 500 individuals around the country, like Adams, since March 2002.

Adams has been a volunteer with the USO for eight years.  She is the Director of Volunteers for USO services at Savannah International Airport, Hunter Army Airfield, and Fort Stewart. Adams recruits and trains all volunteers and ensures that they are present to welcome and support troops during all outgoing and incoming flights.  Adams organizes USO activities and secures supplies including snacks and care packages, for all troop deployments and Welcome Home events.  Since 2005, Mary has been a volunteer during 189 flights involving nearly 20,000 troops.

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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