President George W. Bush will present the President’s Volunteer Service Award to Ruth Dekker, when he arrives in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on Saturday, May 21, 2005. Dekker, a graduating senior, has been an active volunteer throughout her four years at Calvin College. To thank them for making a difference in the lives of others, President Bush has met with more than 400 individuals around the country, like Dekker, since March 2002.

Dekker was a teacher and health assistant in Jos, Nigeria, with Christian Reformed World Missions during the summer of 2003. She assisted with health clinics in rural villages, tutored children in local schools, and worked at a center for homeless boys. Dekker also volunteered with the Residence Hall Partnership at Roosevelt Park Community Christian Reformed Church in Grand Rapids coordinating “Gym Night,” a weekly program combining Bible studies and athletic programs for inner-city students. Dekker participated in a community-based nursing program, a service-learning component of her academic classes, during her junior and senior years and volunteered at the Calvin College Service-Learning Center connecting students and faculty with volunteer service opportunities in the Grand Rapids community.

In his January 2002 State of the Union Address, President Bush called on every American to dedicate two years or 4,000 hours over the course of their lives to volunteer service. To help more Americans engage in volunteer service, he created USA Freedom Corps, an Office of the White House charged with strengthening and expanding 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 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 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 www.presidentialserviceawards.gov.

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