Pennsylvania's Top Youth Volunteers Honored in Washington

Strategic Insights -

Robin Roberts, co-anchor of "Good Morning America," paid tribute to Conner Hagins and Hanna Maier, the top two youth volunteers in Pennsylvania for 2015. Conner, an 18-year-old from Johnstown, was recognized for his charity, "Cuddles for Kids," which has delivered over 85,000 toys to kids in need, while Hanna, a 12-year-old from Prospect Park, was honored for her anti-bullying efforts, which include persuading four Pennsylvania towns to adopt anti-bullying resolutions and organizing annual community walks. The two students received $1,000 awards, engraved silver medallions, and all-expense-paid trips to Washington, D.C., as part of the 20th annual Prudential Spirit of Community Awards.

Key Takeaways:

  • Conner Hagins, an 18-year-old from Johnstown, founded the charity "Cuddles for Kids" in 2006, which has delivered over 85,000 toys to kids in need.
  • Conner's charity has also collected school supplies and hygiene items for at-risk youth, and donated over $5,000 to provide after-school meals to kids in need, support pediatric cancer research, and assist other initiatives that benefit children.
  • Hanna Maier, a 12-year-old from Prospect Park, was recognized for her anti-bullying efforts, which include persuading four Pennsylvania towns to adopt anti-bullying resolutions and organizing annual community walks that have drawn over 700 participants.
  • The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program, sponsored by Prudential Financial and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), named Conner and Hanna Pennsylvania's top high school and middle level youth volunteers in February 2015.
  • Over 33,000 middle level and high school students participated in the 2015 Spirit of Community Awards program, which was created in 1995 to recognize young people for outstanding volunteer service.
  • In the past 20 years, the program has honored over 100,000 young volunteers at the local, state, and national level.

Statistics:

  • 33,000 middle level and high school students participated in the 2015 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program.
  • The program has honored over 100,000 young volunteers at the local, state, and national level in the past 20 years.
  • Conner Hagins' charity, "Cuddles for Kids," has delivered over 85,000 toys to kids in need since its inception in 2006.
  • Hanna Maier's annual community walks have drawn over 700 participants over the past two years.

Sources:

  • The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program
  • National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP)
  • Prudential Financial
  • "Good Morning America"