Amy Cada, 17, a Downers Grove South High School student, has been named one of Illinois’ top two youth volunteers by the Prudential Insurance Co.
Cada is being honored for launching International Kids Kare-USA, an organization to promote teenager volunteerism. She started the group as a memorial to a friend who died of cancer.
Cada directs an effort to collect and recycle tops from pop cans with funds going to Ronald McDonald houses, where families can stay near to their hospitalized children.
Cada has developed a how-to kit, publishes a monthly newsletter and has started a Web site.
Last year, students across the country collected 1 million tops. “I tell young people that service to others can be done any day, any time, anywhere,” Cada said.
Prudential annually presents its Spirit of Community Awards. The other Illinois winner is Matthew Pangrac, 13, of Appleseed Elementary School, Decatur, who coordinates monthly visits by his 4-H Club to a nursing home.
The two students each receive $1,000, a silver medallion and a trip to Washington, D.C., in May, where they will compete to become the top 10 youth volunteers in the United States.
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The awards are co-sponsored by the National Association of Secondary School Principals.
“These extraordinary young people exemplify the spirit of community that is so important to the future of our cities,” said Arthur Ryan, Prudential chairman and chief executive officer.