(Greensburg, IN) – Decatur County REMC and other Indiana electric cooperatives along with their statewide magazine Indiana Connection recently honored five young Hoosiers in grades 5-8 who are making a difference in their communities by presenting them with the Youth Power and Hope Awards.
The local winner for Decatur County REMC is Malarie Schoettmer, a fifth grader at Seton Home Study School.
Schoettmer and fellow award recipient Cressa Kohrman of St. Paul – who is a fifth grader at North Decatur Elementary – started the World Helping Squad, which has been involved in activities such as donating items to the Riley Toy Closet, clothes and other items to local fire and police departments, plus baby and maternity supplies to mothers.
They’ve also provided warm clothing for veterans, plus for a local animal shelter. In addition, the squad fulfilled wish lists for a church’s Angel Tree and delivered Dinner at Bedtime meals weekly for a month.
In addition to her activities with the squad, Schoettmer is active in 4-H, where she has completed projects benefitting an animal shelter, fire department, food pantry, schools, parks, and fairgrounds.
Last year, Schoettmer began volunteering at St. Vincent De Paul’s thrift store, where she helps customers and has donated items to help raise funds.
The recipients each received $500 to further their community service activities and will be featured in the February 2025 issue of Indiana Connection magazine.
Kohrman and her family are members of RushShelby REMC.
