4-H’ers Recognized For Outstanding Community Service
4-H’ers across the country recently received national recognition at the 2010 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, a nationwide program that honors youth for their extraordinary efforts in serving others through volunteerism.
Ten 4-Her’s were selected as State Honorees, and each heads their own service projects. Vienna Schmitter-Schrier, from Soldotna, Alaska, participated in an eight-month volunteer “vacation” in El Salvador. She learned that most children in the country could not afford the bus fare, school supplies, and uniforms required to go on to the seventh grade. Vienna helped raise more than $5,000 to establish a scholarship fund so that underprivileged children in El Salvador could continue their education.
“I knew that they dreamed about getting a good education, but that money, not desire or ability, kept their dreams from coming true,” said Vienna.
Other State Honorees and 4-H members actively supported US troops overseas. Kenna Baker visited war memorials in Washington, D.C. on a trip from Oklahoma, and “felt a tugging at my heart to do something for the soldiers serving our country,” said Kenna. Over the last five years, she made more than 6,000 “cooling ties,” worn around the neck to keep American soldiers cool in the desert heat of Iraq and Afghanistan. She also conducted over 300 workshops to teach others how to make them.
In New York, Brianna Cart has shipped 270 boxes of snacks, toiletries and other items, worth more than $20,000 to 345 American soldiers serving overseas in the last four years. She currently spends 20 hours a week organizing the supplies and manages a core group of 19 youth and over 40 local organizations who help put the packages together.
“I’ve learned from the thank you letters how much the soldiers miss their homes and families, and I am grateful to be a part of a group that tries to show how much we appreciate their efforts,” said Brianna.
Six 4-Her’s were chosen as Distinguished Finalists and will receive an engraved bronze medallion. They also conducted some impressive community service activities. Sydney Swanson organized the “Coats for Kids” drive, and collected over 850 coats for children in need. Garrett Thompson, collected more than 9,000 CDs, DVDs and other items for American servicemen and women overseas, and Dustin Dixon created gardens that provided fresh produce for nearly 1,400 people in his community.
The awards program, now in its 15th year, is conducted by Prudential Financial, Inc., in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).
In total, 102 youth volunteers - two from each state and the District of Columbia - were named State Honorees and 234 were selected as Distinguished Finalists. The 4-H’ers selected are:
State Honorees
• Kenna Baker, Okla.
• Brianna Cart, N.Y.
• Amy David, Wyo.
• Rebecca Fawns, Mont.
• Bridgett McLean, Nev.
• Philip Moore, Del.
• Jaden Moore, Neb.
• Brandon Pettit, Iowa
• Kallen Rittberger, S.D.
• Vienna Schmitter-Schrier, Alaska |
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Distinguished Finalists
• Sydney Swanson, Neb.
• Garrett Thompson, Okla.
• Margaret Cody, Tenn.
• Matthew Ferguson, Ore.
• Dustin Dixon, Ark.
• Zachary Early, Ark. |
For more information about The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards and this year’s honorees, visit Prudential Spirit of Community Awards.
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