DARKE COUNTY — When it comes to making their communities better places to live, kids and teens do remarkably creative things to make a difference, and no issue is too difficult for America’s youth to tackle — hunger, illness, poverty, substance abuse, the environment, etc.

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, sponsored in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals, is calling for entries from students in grades 5 – 12 for its 2017 Awards, with a deadline of November 8. The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards application is online at spirit.prudential.com or by calling 855-670-4787.

Hailed as the nation’s largest youth volunteer recognition program, the top national winners each receive $5,000 and a $5,000 Prudential Foundation grant for a charitable organization of their choice. One-hundred and two state honorees are named each year – two from each state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. And, there are 230 distinguished finalists. Each May, the top 10 youth volunteers are then selected and named “America’s Top 10 Youth Volunteers.”