S.L. teen honored for volunteer work

East High senior Don Willie is out to save the world — one service project at a time.

Last week Willie was named winner of the 2006 YouthLINC Young Humanitarian Award and $5,000 scholarship for his work with state and international charity organizations as well as his own volunteer projects.

Over the past couple of years Willie has motivated hundreds of students in projects like assembling care packages for troops and providing Christmas gifts for Ute foster children.

He also rallied students at his school to sell bracelets to raise money to buy medical supplies and feed and clothe infants in Ghana.

"It's always been a part of me. I love service, it's fun. It's not a tiresome thing, and it's not a gruesome thing," Willie said. "When you think about it you are benefitting the lives of others, and there is no better feeling than helping people, doing for them what they can't do for themselves."

Willie started his volunteer projects working with his mother in sixth grade. From there he was hooked.

He will be attending the University of Utah this fall pursuing a career in medicine. However, Willie said he still plans to continue volunteering in medical and international projects each summer.

YouthLINC, a Utah-based nonprofit dedicated to instilling a lifetime service ethic in young people, organizes the award program. It provides $600-$1,000 sponsorships toward a service experience in a developing country in return for between 60-100 hours of service in their own communities for secondary and college students.

For more information visit www.youthlincutah.org.

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E-mail: terickson@desnews.com