Profiles in Service from the National Service Briefing

The Corporation for National and Community Service presented three outstanding volunteers with the "Spirit of Service Award" at its National Conference on Volunteering and Service. The awards are given annually to individuals representing each of the Corporation's three national service programs - Learn and Serve America, AmeriCorps, and Senior Corps - who have performed exemplary service in their communities.

Last summer, Sarah Cronk uploaded a video about her cheerleading squad, the Spartan Sparkles, on GetUrGoodOn.org. The video tells the story of how the Sparkles were your average high school cheerleading squad until they invited children with special needs to cheer with them. They now practice and cheer with 10 girls with special needs at games twice a week.

David Engle - Glen Rock, NJ

16 year old David Engle of Glen Rock, New Jersey engages disadvantaged and disabled children in recreational activities.

David Engle founded a non-profit organization, Carnivals for Children on Wheels (CFCOW.org) when he was just 14 to bring free carnivals to children who are underprivileged and/or mentally and physically disabled. He got the idea for this program after learning about a program called Pony Power, which brings therapeutic horseback riding to children who are mentally and physically challenged.

Madison, age 10, started Kidz For A Cure, a rummage sale that is all about kids helping kids and raising money for pediatric cancer research. Children from Madison's community are invited to clean out their closets and bring toys, books, and videos to the city's largest kid-run rummage sale. Kidz for a Cure raises funds for the Cancer Center of Santa Barbara which supports children's pediatric research at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital. The annual event also aims to show young people that they make a difference and that kids have the power to help their communities.

Nicole, age 16, founded a food drive called Neighbors-4-Neighbors in autumn of 2009 to help her local depleted food bank in Charlottesville, Virginia and then decided to take her campaign nationally.

In late 2006, cousins Mike Ruane and Erika Rech were experiencing first hand what a breast cancer diagnosis could do to a family when three of their family members were diagnosed with the disease and underwent double mastectomies. The 15 year old high school students knew that there were many others in their community struggling with the financial and emotional burdens of the disease, and decided to make a difference. Mike and Erika pooled together $1,000.00 and started a charity called Breast Friends Forever.