President George W. Bush will present the President’s Volunteer Service Award to Sharon Nolan when he arrives in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Monday, October 29, 2007.  Nolan is a volunteer with the YWCA of Greater Cincinnati.  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 600 volunteers, like Nolan, since March 2002.

Nolan is a volunteer with the YWCA of Greater Cincinnati's Protection from abuse programs. On September 7, 2001, her daughter, Shannon, and her unborn granddaughter were murdered by Shannon’s husband. Motivated by this personal tragedy, Nolan strives to prevent domestic violence homicide through advocacy and prevention education.  She gives presentations about domestic violence, participates in training programs at the Cincinnati Police Academy, Hamilton County Probation Department and Xavier University.  Nolan also serves on the planning committee for “She Screams without Sound,” an annual event honoring victims of domestic violence.  In addition, Nolan and her family volunteer at the YWCA Battered Women’s Shelters to offer hope and help to abused women and children.

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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