Local Initiatives
Indiana Youth Make a Difference
Indiana’s electric cooperatives have honored five young consumer-members for their dedication to community service.
The 2011 Youth Power and Hope Award winners pose for a photo with community activist Rupert Boneham of “Survivor” fame. (Photo By: Electric Consumer/Richard Biever)
“Their work with churches, youth groups, food pantries and local institutions has been inspirational,” said Emily Schilling, editor of Electric Consumer.
The publication of the Indiana Statewide Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives sponsored the Youth Power and Hope Awards. A panel of judges selected the five honorees based upon essays, community service and letters of reference.
“This is a great way to encourage young people to help make their communities stronger,” Schilling said. “The honorees are all in the sixth through eighth grades and their parents are also members of local cooperatives.”
The winners include:
• Paul Diekhoff, who has made pillows for hospitalized children, participates in food and clothing drives and volunteers for roadside litter collections.
• Stephanie Gall, who performs for children at her local library, participates in trail cleanups and volunteers at her church.
• Megan Hawkins, who has volunteered at vacation bible school, made gifts for nursing home patients and helped raise funds for charity.
• Peyton Newman, who has helped assemble personal care kits for victims of Hurricane Katrina and the earthquake in Haiti, and rakes leaves for elderly residents.
• Madyson Stricker, who has helped raise more than $22,000 to fight cancer through Relay for Life. She’s also the top fundraiser for her local 4-H club.
The winners were honored at the statewide association’s annual meeting in Indianapolis, Nov. 15, where they met Josh Bleill, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran critically injured in Iraq, who is now a motivational speaker for the Indianapolis Colts.
They also met community activist, Rupert Boneham, a fan favorite from the CBS reality show “Survivor.”
“It was an honor to recognize these five young people,” said Bruce Graham, CEO of the statewide association. “Each of them has so generously given their time, talents and enthusiasm to helping better their communities.”