President George W. Bush will present the President’s Volunteer Service Award to Jim DeVito when he arrives at the airport in Richmond, Virginia, on Friday, May 18, 2007.  DeVito is a volunteer with Boaz & Ruth.  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.  President Bush has met with more than 575 individuals around the country, like DeVito, since March 2002.

DeVito is a volunteer with Boaz & Ruth, a faith-based non-profit organization that helps ex-offenders re-enter society and rebuild their lives by working as apprentices in job training and life skills programs.  For three years DeVito was the volunteer Project Manager for the renovation of a condemned house in Highland Park. He supervised teams of ex-offenders who worked as apprentices during the construction process.  The renovation project, completed in April 2007, now serves as a residence for five apprentices in the program.  In 2007, Boaz & Ruth received the Governor's Award for Best National Service Program.

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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