Rick Couch / News Editor

Everyone who has been in Demopolis for very long knows Tommy Vice. He is the city’s good will ambassador, champion fund-raiser and all around source of joy.

There is no doubt Tommy is well known in Marengo County.

Now he is well known in the nation’s capital. Vice was recently recognized by President George W. Bush and his Council on Service and Civic Participation in recognition and appreciation of his efforts.

One of the prizes for his award was a letter from Bush himself. When the letter came in, Vice said, it was a wonderful feeling.

“It felt fantastic when I got the letter,” Vice said. “I spend a lot of time volunteering. I was excited.”

He knew something was coming, Vice said, but exactly what was a well kept secret.

“They told me they had a surprise for me, but they didn’t tell me what it was,” Vice said. “It is my privilege to do volunteer work because it is what God wants me to do.”

In the letter, Bush stated:

“In Jan. 2002, I called on all Americans to dedicate at least two years, or 4,000 hours, over the course of their lives to serve others at home or abroad. I congratulate you all and all Americans who have answered the call and have earned a Bronze Award from the President’s Council. Americans of all ages can serve others in countless ways such as mentoring a child, caring for an elderly neighbor, teaching someone to read, cleaning parks and creating safer neighborhoods.”

Vice also received a letter on behalf of the members of the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation signed by Bob Dole, Darrell Green and John Glenn.

As an award recipient, Vice receives an official President’s Volunteer Service Award pin, a personalized certificate of achievement, a note of congratulations from the President of the United States and a letter from the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation

In his letter, Bush said recognizing and honoring volunteers sets a standard for service to others. It encourages a sustained commitment to civic participation and inspires others to make volunteering a central part of their lives.

The President’s Volunteer Service Award is a Presidential recognition program for Americans of all ages, who contribute a significant amount of time to volunteer service. The program recognizes individuals, families, and groups that have achieved a certain standard – measured by the number of hours served over a 12-month period.

The President’s Volunteer Service Award was created to recognize the tens of millions of Americans who have made a sustained commitment to volunteer service. The Award is given to individuals, families and groups that have demonstrated outstanding volunteer service and civic participation over the course of a 12-month period.