Vote now to choose Rebekah Koen as the Winner of the
Maytag® Dependable Leader Award & $50,000 in Scholarships
BENTON HARBOR, Mich. – Rebekah Koen of Birmingham has been selected as a finalist in the 2014 Maytag® Dependable Leader Awards – America’s Vote competition for exuding dependability, reliability and a commitment to excellence everyday within her community. Koen, 18, is a volunteer counselor-in-training at the Brookside Boys & Girls Club, where she serves as a mentor, tutor and leader for the Club and its members.
Through a national partnership, Maytag brand and Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) selected Koen as one of five finalists nationwide to compete for the distinction. The winner will receive a $50,000 grant, of which, $20,000 will go to them in the form of a scholarship; and the remaining $30,000 will help his/her Club provide educational assistance for Club members and/or staff.
Koen was nominated for the award by Todd Love, unit director at Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Alabama. Love first met Koen five years ago when she and her three siblings, who had been living in homeless shelters with their mother, began attending the Brookside Boys & Girls Club. In his nomination letter, Love noted, “At an age when this stigma could destroy a young person’s self-image and perspective, Rebekah faced homelessness with grace, dignity and an undying positive attitude. What I admire most about Rebekah is her ability to overcome and rise above the many hardships and trials she has faced in her young life.”
As a volunteer counselor-in-training, Koen has contributed to the Brookside Boys & Girls Club in a myriad of ways. She tutors younger members, assists them with their homework and supervises them during activities. When she saw that many of the pre-teen girls seemed to be struggling with their image and self-confidence, she created “Girl Talk,” a program designed to give girls ages 11-14 a forum to share their feelings and support their peers. In addition, Koen is a member of the Keystone Club, a group of Boys & Girls Club teens dedicated to making their community a cleaner, safer and better place to live.
“Rebekah Koen is truly a dependable leader who selflessly gives her time and efforts to the Brookside Boys & Girls Club, and we are proud to see her nominated for this incredible distinction from Maytag,” said Love. “If Rebekah should win the Maytag Dependable Leader Award, it will help our Club continue to make a positive impact in our community by providing scholarships to our members. We are grateful to Maytag for supporting our organization’s efforts to serve young people and make a difference in their lives.”
“The Maytag Dependable Leader Award allows Maytag brand to give back to Boys & Girls Clubs across the country that continue to give tirelessly to their local communities each and every day,” said Laura Somers, brand manager, Maytag.
“The 2014 Maytag Dependable Leader Awards recognize Club members, such as Rebekah Koen, who are committed to making a difference as dependable and exceptional role models.”
With a heritage of dependability dating back more than 100 years, the Maytag brand mission is to build high-performing and dependable products. Boys & Girls Clubs dependably serve youth, enabling them to reach their full potential as high-performing adults. The partnership between Maytag and BGCA seeks to recognize and promote dependability – a quality that is at the core of what the Clubs do every day and is central to Maytag brand. Through its partnership with BGCA, Maytag has donated more than 3.5 million dollars to local Clubs in the last three years.
To vote for Rebekah Koen in the 2014 Maytag Dependable Leader Awards – America’s Vote competition, please visit www.dependableleaders.com. Individuals can vote daily through Friday, September 19, 2014, to help the finalist of their choice increase his or her chances of winning the $50,000 grand prize. Voting is limited to one vote per email address per day.
