President Bush Recognizes 400th USA Freedom Corps Greeter for Dedication to Volunteer Service

President George W. Bush presented the President's Volunteer Service Award to Don Kotchman when he arrived at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan, on Friday, January 7, 2005. Kotchman, an Army colonel, is an active volunteer with Boy Scouts of America and as a coach for youth sports programs.

President Bush has called on all Americans to volunteer two years or 4,000 hours over the course of their lifetimes, and he created USA Freedom Corps to help foster a culture of service, citizenship, and responsibility. Since March 2002, President Bush has met with 400 individuals around the country, like Kotchman, who are answering the call to volunteer service.

Kotchman has been a volunteer with Boy Scouts of America for 10 years. As a Scoutmaster and committee chair he has helped more than 20 boys earn the rank of Eagle Scout and has participated in more than 30 community enrichment projects. For seven years, Don has coached youth soccer, football and wrestling, both on military posts and in the communities where he has been stationed. In addition, Kotchman teaches Sunday school at the Selfridge Air National Guard Base chapel and has helped with chapel food drives and soup kitchens. He was awarded the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Award in December 2004 for 15 years of exceptional volunteer support.

The President's Volunteer Service Award, an initiative of the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation, is presented to people of all ages who have demonstrated their dedication to volunteer service. More information about the award is available at www.presidentialserviceawards.gov.

Through USA Freedom Corps, President Bush wants to help every American answer the call to service by strengthening and expanding service opportunities to protect our homeland, support our communities, and extend American compassion around the world. Interested volunteers can find information at www.usafreedomcorps.gov or by calling 1-877-USA-CORPS.

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