President George W. Bush will present the President’s Volunteer Service Award to Peter Henry, 17, when he arrives in Anchorage, Alaska, on Monday, November 14, 2005. Henry, a junior at East High School, is a volunteer with the Special Olympics Alaska Partners Club. To thank them for making a difference in the lives of others, President Bush has met with over 450 individuals around the country, like Henry, since March 2002.

Henry has been a Partners Club volunteer for three years. He is a bowling and snowboarding coach and competitor who works alongside Special Olympics athletes at East High School. Henry averages 20 hours of volunteer service per month. The Partners Club is a school-based sports and recreation program that brings together Special Olympics athletes and volunteer students who serve as peer coaches and partners. The teams train for competition with students in Partners Clubs throughout Alaska. This program promotes the benefits of fitness while providing opportunities to empower students of all abilities.

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. Studies show that approximately 5 million more Americans are volunteering today than just three years ago. Go to http://www.usafreedomcorps.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 http://www.usafreedomcorpskids.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 http://www.presidentialserviceawards.gov.

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