Caring Neighbors receives NEWASA community award

The Caring Neighbors organization received a Community Leader Award from Northeast Washington Association of School Administrators (NEWASA) during a ceremony on April 18. Nominated by Lind-Ritzville Schools Superintendent Rob Roettger, Caring Neighbors members Dale Anderson and Stevie Coon traveled to Spokane to receive the award on behalf of the organization.

Throughout the year, Caring Neighbors donates to community organizations and groups to help them achieve goals or purchase products necessary to the success of the organization. Among the returning requests for funds has been the Lind and Ritzville School Districts, and Caring Neighbors has generously supported the schools through funding programs at the local schools.

“Beginning in 2002, the Caring Neighbors program through the Big Bend Electric Cooperative has supported the Lind and Ritzville School Districts in a number of ways,” Roettger wrote in the nomination. “The program has funded $16,350 over the past three years for FFA travel, Raising a Reader program, First Robotics, field trips and athletic programs.

“Our schools have truly been blessed by the generosity of the Caring Neighbors program and Big Bend Electric Cooperative.”

The Community Leader Award is presented to community members or groups in recognition for their outstanding contributions toward education, the WASA website states. The criteria to receive the award includes benefitting students, leadership, motivation, cooperation with the local district, recognition by others and a history of service.