President George W. Bush will present the President’s Volunteer Service Award to Rob Goodreau when he arrives at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, on Thursday, March 27, 2008.  Goodreau is a volunteer with the Civil Air Patrol.   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 Goodreau, since March 2002.

Goodreau, a first lieutenant in the United States Air Force, has been a volunteer with the Civil Air Patrol for nine years. Civil Air Patrol is the civilian auxiliary program of the United States Air Force that provides aerospace education and cadet programs for youth as well as assistance in emergency services.  Goodreau is the Commander of the Wright-Patterson Composite Squadron that provides trained volunteers to assist the community in times of disaster and assists with searches for downed aircraft or missing persons. Goodreau is also active in Civil Air Patrol cadet programs that teach youth to become future leaders.  He was a youth mentor and instructor at the Southeast Region Cadet Leadership School and has served as the Commandant of Cadets for Encampment, a week-long training exercise to teach youth about military customs and core values.

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.

###