Amber McLean receives U.P. Volunteer Leadership Award

Amber McLean understands the importance of getting youth involved in their communities. Last month she recieved the U.P. Volunteer Leadership Award for inspiring local youth to volunteer hundreds of hours.

Volunteering more than 1,000 hours in 2012, Amber leads by example.

Youth who volunteer just one hour a week are 50% less likely to abuse drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, or engage in destructive behavior. (Search Institute, 1995) 

"Amber makes such a huge impact on the community. She teaches so many teens how important it is to get involved in their community and shows them how much of a difference they can make.  Amber is also an incredible leader.  She has the ability to get everyone engaged in events.  She makes it seem fun and worth it." Says U.P. teen philanthropist, Emma Schumacher.

Recruting teens to volunteer for everything from food drives to potato washing, Amber believes that community service is a privilege and can (if done right) give more to the one serving than the project being served.