Released: February 28, 2007

Leavenworth Teen Earns National Award

LEAVENWORTH, Kan. – A Kansas 4-H member – James Bailey – has been named the Kansas High School Volunteer of the Year by the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program.

“James’ award reflects his volunteer efforts in building community to serve the larger world,” said Beth Hecht, Kansas State University Research and Extension 4-H youth development agent in Leavenworth County.

As a participant in 4-H’s Kansas River Youth Leadership program involving Kansas City area youth, James provided leadership in collecting more than 10,000 pounds of dog and cat food and pet supplies for animals in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Hecht said.

He also has organized a community drive for personal products and supplies for military personnel serving in Iraq as part of his 4-H Teen Leadership Project.

“At one point in the supply drive, we had about 2000 pounds of small items – toothbrushes and toothpaste, soap, snack foods and such – in our living room,” Bailey said.

Volunteers packed the personal products in re-sealable plastic bags, and added a freshly-washed pillowcase packaged in its own re-sealable plastic bag, he said.

“The pillowcases have been a big hit, as field conditions vary,” James said.

Bailey worked with his aunt, Lana Wiehe, who works at Fort Leavenworth, to arrange transportation via the Leavenworth National Guard, for the 754 care packages that volunteers assembled. Additional packages have been sent since the first shipments.

“It feels good to help others,” said Bailey, adding that what pleases him most is peoples’ willingness to give.

“When asked, most will contribute in some way,” the young volunteer said.

For his efforts to help others, the Tonganoxie High School senior will receive a $1,000 scholarship, silver award medallion, and trip for two to Washington, D.C. later this spring. Prudential Spirit of Community Award winners also are eligible for one of 10 national awards ($5,000 scholarship, plus a $5,000 donation to the recipient’s choice of a charity and gold award medallion) that will be announced during the May 5-8 conference for award winners in Washington.

Bailey has participated in two 4-H Clubs – the Happy Helpers and the Mayginnis Hustlers – and a variety of projects during his 4-H career, and plans to attend Kansas State University to work toward a dual degree in architectural and industrial engineering.

He is the son of Patrick and Carol Bailey.

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K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus, Manhattan.

Story by:
Nancy Peterson
nancyp@oznet.ksu.edu
K-State Research& Extension News