Freeman Receives President’s Volunteer Service Award

Lillian Freeman, 16, of Little River, a student at North Myrtle Beach High School, 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. Principal Trevor Strawderman nominated Lillian for national honors this fall in recognition of her volunteer service.

Freeman has contributed 200 hours to Salkehatchie Summer Service, a summer mission program in Bishopville, in the past two years. She has helped to rehabilitate homes through construction and faith. In her application, Freeman said, “I feel that it is important that I participate in the Salkehatchie program because it gives me an opportunity to help people who couldn’t otherwise help themselves. It is important to me that all people have a stable floor to walk on, a roof above their heads to keep them dry and a properly plumbed bathroom.” North Myrtle Beach High School is proud of this achievement.

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, sponsored by Prudential Financail in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), recognizes middle level and high school students across America for outstanding volunteer service.

“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.”

“Demonstrating civic responsibility through volunteerism is an important part of life,” said NASSP Executive Director JoAnn Bartoletti. “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, American 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. In addition to granting President’s Volunteer Service Awards, The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards selected State Honorees, Distinguished Finalists and Certificate of Excellence recipients. Volunteer activities were judged on criteria including initiative, effort, impact and personal growth.

North Myrtle Beach High School principal, Trevor Strawderman, and Lillian Alatis Freeman attend the Underclassman Awards Ceremony.