Reno woman receives honor from Bush
RENO -- President Bush recognized a Reno woman for her volunteerism Monday night, presenting her with a pin and chatting a few minutes next to Air Force One about the impact of gambling on homelessness.
"He was a real nice guy, really down to earth," Cathy Levine said after Bush presented her the President's Volunteer Service Award on the tarmac at Reno-Tahoe International Airport.
Bush "asked about homeless people in Nevada. I told him there are," said Levine, 52, who began collecting clothing and blankets for homeless families who were housed temporarily at a local shelter during a severe snowstorm in 1989.
"He said, 'People lose their money gambling?' And I said that's true and we take care of their kids," she told reporters. "He was very interested in what we do."
Bush arrived at the Nevada Air National Guard base at the airport about 7:15 p.m. Monday. He was greeted at the airport by Republican Gov. Jim Gibbons, U.S. Rep. Dean Heller, R-Nev., Heller's wife Lynn, Reno Major Bob Cashell, state Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno, and Col. Mike Williams, operations group commander of the 152nd Airlift Wing based there.
Tuesday morning he addressed the national convention of the American Legion at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center. It was the first time a sitting president spent the night in Reno, although some have stayed overnight in Carson City before, state archivist Guy Rocha said.
Bush has honored more than 600 volunteers like Levine nationally since March 2002, the White House said.
Levine grew up in a needy family with parents who were alcoholics and lost her own 13-year-old daughter to cancer in 1998. She said she's been working lately to collect baby clothing and furniture for her nonprofit organization, Warm for All Reasons.
Levine said she was a bit overwhelmed when the White House telephoned to tell her Bush would be thanking her personally for her volunteer work. She planned to wear the award pin to her job at a Wells Fargo bank calling center on Tuesday.
"Every now and then we get a $100 check and to me, that's exciting," she said. "This was a little more overwhelming. I'm glad it's over."
