Rockton American Legion Auxillary presents youth with “Good Deed Awards”
Several youth in local communities were recognized for doing "good deeds."
Local youth have earned honors from the American Legion Axillary in recognition of doing good deeds. Several youths in local communities received the Good Deed Award signed by the American Legion Auxiliary National President Pam Ray from the Department of IL.
Each award recipient was also given a pin from the Department Chair of Children and Youth for the State of IL. Sue Johnson, to commemorate our country’s 250th Anniversary on July 4, 2026.
The American Auxiliary Good Deed Award was created in 2002 by the National Children & Youth Committee to recognize youth under the age of 18 who have demonstrated leadership in community service through projects initiated by them.
The purpose behind these honors is to recognize and encourage community service and leadership in youth.
Projects must be set in motion by the nominee, not a school or a group assignment.
While spending time at the YMCA’s Camp BeRo, campers have held bake sales, hosted a couple of car washes, and had penny wars to raise money for a specific organization each year. Last year they chose to support GiGi’s Playhouse.
GiGi’s Playhouse’s mission is to make a lifetime commitment to changing lives and providing hope through the consistent delivery of free educational, therapeutic, and career development programs for individuals with Down Syndrome, their families and the community using a replicable playhouse model.
In the 18 years that Camp BeRo has been in existence they have hosted fundraisers and have done several service projects to benefit animal shelters, Habitat for Humanity, the Women’s Shelter in Rockford, they created Blessing Bags for the Homeless, ALS, made Busy Bags for local hospitals, and showed support to “Sole Hope for Shoe Pattern” to help people in Uganda.
An Eagle Scout is building raised garden beds for Camp BeRo for a vegetable market.
First Responders drank free at DeeDee’s Coffee and Decor thanks to the generosity of these campers.
This year Vet’s Roll has been chosen to give back to. All summer long campers will raise funds for Vets Roll.
BeRo Camp Counselor, Ashley Anderson who oversees campers ages 10- 14 years old said, “A lot of the campers have family that maybe was a veteran or they know someone who was a veteran.
One of the campers Dad’s is going on next year's trip. Anderson added, "My husband is an Army Veteran.
Some of the campers are students at Whitman Post Elementary School where they learn about Veterans backgrounds.
In third grade they write letters to send to the veterans to take on their trip with them. So many connections are made with that. We are really proud to be doing a Veterans organization this year.
A car wash will be held at the Rockton Township Center’s parking lot on Thursday, June 18.
On July 21,a bake sale is being held in two locations, in front of the Rockton Fire Department and Talcott Free Library.
Both events start at 9 a.m. and run until 1 p.m.
Anderson said, “The campers work with their parents to bake for the sale. A lot of our campers like gardening at home and we will also have veggies and plants.”
Three recipients of the Good Deed awards shared their stories with the Rockton American Legion Auxiliary at the April meeting.
Thirteen year old Adelyn Harambasic collected books and donations, and made over 400 Lovees, and gave them to families who had someone in the NIC-U at Swedish American Hospital, a project that she spent over two months completing last summer.
The Lovees are a fleece fabric designed to pass along the mom’s scent to a baby, creating a meaningful connection.
Sue Johnson told Harambasic “ The nurses said that you did a great job.”
Harambasic said, “ I was sparked by the idea since I had to do a service project for my NHS application. I knew it would provide comfort for patients there.
Adelyn’s mom Lisa shares, “I had twins who were born two months early in Swedish American Hospital. They spent time in the NIC-U which is what compelled Adelyn to help others there.
“My sister and I were patients there for 29 days and we both survived, they gave us such excellent care,“Adelyn said.
Friends Ben Byers and Robby Johnson each did a good deed.
Robby set up a lemonade stand to help two people who had cancer, one is his moms client. Johnson made over $1,000.
There was a guy who came up on his motorcycle and gave me a $100 donation, Johnson said.
This year we gave out Rice Krispy treats.
Ben was inspired to help Robby out. “I learned how to be helpful, Ben said.
Robby is already figuring out what his next project will be. He is considering the possibility of adding another flavor at his next lemonade stand. The little boy that he helped was so inspired that he decided to help him with his next venture.
Each young person who reached out to others was beyond deserving of being honored with a Good Deeds Award!
