Youth Volunteer of the Year - Christopher Wendt

Christopher Wendt has been inspired to serve in disaster preparedness and recovery since he was just 7 years old.  He was inspired by a television program that demonstrated the challenges of victims of the 2004 tsunami. Since that time, he has devoted countless hours to emergency service. Over the past 12 years, Chris has raised funds for tsunami victims, painted and repaired houses, served on search and rescue teams, provided peer counseling and served displaced fire evacuees. In 2012, the small village of Newberry had a huge forest fire resulting in the need to evacuate residents, provide emergency shelter and more. Chris volunteered every day for nearly three weeks. He reported for “duty” first thing in the morning and was among the last to leave at night. He currently attends Lake Superior State University, where he majors in fire science and minors in emergency management. Chris hopes to be an emergency manager after graduation. He continues to help keep community emergency plans updated and is committed to being a lifelong volunteer. “He became a familiar face to those whose lives were turned upside down and full of uncertainty. Chris always put a smile on their face and calmed their nerves” said his nominator. “He truly has an amazing gift, and it showed to everyone. We have never met a man with such a big, sincere heart.”