"There is no definition of a successful life that does not include service to others," Bush told the closing session of the 2004 National Conference on Community Volunteering and National Service at Bartle Hall.

More than 2,000 representatives of businesses, government, nonprofit groups and service organizations attended the conference sponsored by the Corporation for National and Community Service and the Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network.

Bush, introduced by his wife, Barbara, mentioned that President Reagan, who died Saturday, would want the conference - "one devoted to service to others" - to continue in this week of mourning.

In a lighter push for volunteering, Bush referred to filmmaker Woody Allen's observation that, "90 percent of life is simply showing up."

But mainly, Bush used his keynote address to promote the country's new wave of voluntarism that some say began in 1997 at a national summit in Philadelphia. At the time, Bush recalled, critics wrote off the national call to voluntarism as a "cheap, feel-good substitute for government spending."

"But it not only survived, it thrived and remains very close to my heart," Bush said.

A recent federal study found that 63 million Americans volunteered for some cause in 2003.

"This is about caring for our fellow man and our communities," Bush said. "We still need more citizens to get off the sidelines. There is still so much we can do as individuals for agents of change."

Bush concluded his address by getting the audience to give applause in honor of his wife's birthday.

Steve Miller, chairman of the Points of Light Foundation, later lauded Bush for his own volunteering efforts in the military during World War II and in subsequent public service.

Referring to the former president's belief that a successful life demands service to others, Miller said: "He is living that life and we are so indebted to his leadership."

Bush, the father of the current president, also helped present the George Bush Corporate Leadership Award to Bob Haas, chairman of Levi Strauss & Co.

Haas, a descendant of his company's founder, joined the Peace Corps after graduating from college in 1964 and later worked on community service projects. His company today is pointed to as a model of workplace volunteering.

Haas' message was partly the good that volunteering does for the volunteer.

"You learn new skills, forge friendships and enrich your own life," Haas told the audience.

Bush and the former first lady both acknowledged the Hall family of Kansas City for its community service. Barbara Bush called Don and Adele Hall "true points of light who give of themselves more than anyone I know."

The couple's son, Don J. Hall Jr., president and CEO of Hallmark Cards, told the audience that volunteering is the strength of America and that employer-led efforts demonstrate a moral and economic commitment to the community.

On that same front, Evern Cooper, president of the UPS Foundation, cited Harry S. Truman when talking about organizing volunteer efforts in the workplace: "It's amazing what can get done if you don't worry about who gets the credit."

Also honored Tuesday was Donald D. Ford, pastor of the Second Missionary Baptist Church in Grandview. Ford was named the "Daily Point of Light."

Ford founded his church in 1978. Today,the congregation has more than 2,000 members and includes youth enrichment programs, sports teams, a drama guild and dance troupes. Ford spends more than 70 hours a week on volunteer causes.