President George W. Bush will present the President’s Volunteer Service Award to Julie Whitney when he arrives in Tampa, Florida, on Tuesday, May 9, 2006. Whitney is a volunteer with the Bayshore Patriots. 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. Whitney is the 501st volunteer to greet President Bush since March 2002.

Whitney is co-founder of the Bayshore Patriots,a non-profit organization formed after September 11, 2001, to demonstrate patriotism and support for those who serve and protect our nation. Every Friday afternoon since September 11, 2001, Whitney and other volunteers gather on Bayshore Boulevard to wave American flags in support ofmilitary troops, fire fighters, emergency service personnel, and law enforcement officers. In addition, Whitney and other Bayshore Patriots work with the City of Tampa to organize an annual Thanksgiving Dinner for members of the International Coalition and military personnel from the United States Central Command at MacDill Air Force Base.

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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