CCV Burlington Student Nominated for Citizen Award

The Vermont Teddy Bear Company has announced that CCV Burlington student Kelsi Powers (and CCV Burlington Blog author!) is a finalist for the 8th annual Vermont Student Citizen Award. Powers, a CCV student graduating in December, is being recognized for her volunteer work with the Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf – the largest food shelf in Vermont, which serves over 10,000 people a year.

Powers began working with the Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf in the Spring of 2008 and now volunteers 4-5 mornings a week at the organization’s warehouse and grocery distribution location. “My motivation to contact the Food Shelf came from my brother-in-law, who, for as long as I have known him, has never wanted a gift for Christmas. The only thing he has ever requested is that I volunteer my time,” said Powers. “Wanting to follow through on telling him that I would, I contacted the closest food shelf and signed up for a morning of service. After that, it wasn’t difficult to go back again and again and again.”

Letters of recommendation in support of Powers’ Vermont Student Citizen Award application were sent in by representatives of the Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf and CCV, including the college’s provost, Joyce Judy. “That she has found time to volunteer a large amount of her time to our community and student body reflects on Kelsi’s character and commitment to service,” said Judy. “I am proud of the work she has done, and proud that we can claim her as a CCV student.”

Created by The Vermont Teddy Bear Company in cooperation with Vermont Campus Compact, Vermont Higher Education Council, and Vermont Life Magazine, the Vermont Student Citizen Award recognizes the outstanding community service contributions Vermont college students make in the community to nonprofit groups and civic organizations. The award carries a reward of $1,000 to the student, a corporate gift of $1,000 to the nonprofit organization where the student serves, and a gift of $1,000 to the institution the student attends. The winner will be announced later in November. Way to go Kelsi! Good luck.