Junior Anita Eckhardt Receives President’s Volunteer Service Award

Anita Eckhardt, age 17, of Olathe, KS, has been honored for her exemplary volunteer service with a President’s Volunteer Service Award. The award, which recognizes Americans of all ages who have volunteered significant amounts of their time to serve their communities and their country, was granted by the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). Maranatha Christian Academy nominated Anita for national honors this fall in recognition of over 60 volunteer hours performed during this school year. Anita serves as Middle School Group Leader with Heartland Community Church, gathered and sorted donations for the Adelante Thrift Drive, was a race participant in Team World Vision’s fall fundraiser for water projects in Africa, and organized and distributed school supplies for teachers at Troost Elementary School.

“Across the United States, young volunteers are doing remarkable things to contribute to the well-being of the people and communities around them,” said Prudential CEO Charles Lowrey. “Prudential is honored to celebrate the contributions of these students, and we hope their stories inspire others to volunteer, too.” NASSP Executive Director JoAnn Bartoletti added, “Demonstrating civic responsibility through volunteerism is an important part of life.” “These honorees practice a lesson we hope all young people, as well as adults, will emulate.”

Prudential Spirit of Community Award application details were distributed nationwide last September through middle level and high schools, Girl Scout councils, county 4-H organizations, America Red Cross chapters, YMCAs and Affiliates of Point of Light’s HandsOn Network. These schools and officially-designated local organizations nominated Local Honorees, whose applications were advanced for state-level judging. Volunteer activities were judged on criteria including initiative effort, impact and personal growth.