On January 25^th, three area Scouters, Stephen Carpenter of Garland, Dr. Daniel Carrier of Dallas, and Joe Tavares of Richardson, all of Boy Scout Troop 728 of Richardson received the President’s Volunteer Service Award for their service to the community in 2008.

In his 2002 State of the Union address, President George W. Bush issued a challenge to all Americans to make time to help their neighbors, communities, and Nation through service. He created the USA Freedom Corps to help all Americans answer his call to service and help foster a culture of service, citizenship, and responsibility. The President's Council on Service and Civic Participation created the President's Volunteer Service Award program as a way to thank and honor Americans who, by their demonstrated commitment and example, inspire others to engage in volunteer service.

At Boy Scout Troop 728’s special 50^th Anniversary Court Of Honor, the Scouters received their awards for a combined 1,980 hours of service to the community on a local and national level in 2008. Stephen Carpenter of Garland volunteered 852 hours, a majority in Scouting and resource conservation with the U.S. Forest Service. Dr. Daniel Carrier of Dallas, volunteered over 600 hours serving as Troop 728’s Committee Chairman for the previous 3 years, chartering Venture Crew 728, a service and high adventure oriented coed Scouting Program for older teens, and volunteers in many District activities. Joe Tavares has volunteered over 529 hours as Troop 728’s Eagle rank advisor, working with Scouts to achieve Scouting highest honor, the rank of Eagle Scout, as well as overseeing the religious awards programs, in accordance with the Catholic Committee on Scouting.

Recipients of the Presidential Award, were presented with a certificate from the USA Freedom Corps, a letter from the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation, and a signed letter on White House stationary from President George W. Bush.