Meeder wins national public service award

Kim Meeder of Tumalo, founder of Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch and author of "Hope Rising," has been named a regional and national recipient of the Jefferson Award for Public Service.

Of 276 nominees in the Northwest region, four were selected to be regional recipients and one, Meeder, was chosen to travel to Washington D.C. for a formal presentation at the national level.

Meeder and her husband Troy are in the capital this week to receive the award and participate in a Senate reception along with 75 other winners chosen from thousands of nominees from all over the United States.

Previous recipients of Jefferson Awards have included such luminaries as National Security Advisor Dr. Condoleeza Rice, Oprah Winfrey, Former First Lady Barbara Bush, and multiple Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong.

Also honored are "Unsung Heroes," representatives of the millions of volunteers who selflessly give to their communities. These winners represent the full range of service to America, from top elected officials to community volunteers.

The Jefferson Awards were established in 1972 and are administered by the American Institute for Public Service. Founded by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Senator Robert Taft, Jr., and Sam Beard, the awards are presented on both a local and national level.

Meeder was nominated by Portland television station KATU, after appearing on a morning program to promote her book.

As part of the Senate reception, recipients will have a three-minute opportunity to spotlight their particular work. Meeder said she is looking forward to hearing the stories, and presenting hers.

"How often does anyone get to tell the whole Senate about what they do?" she said.