AMES, Iowa – Charissa Frideres, daughter of Dwight and Judy Frideres of Madrid, received the Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy award from the Central Iowa Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) during recent ceremonies in Des Moines.

Frideres, a nine-year 4-H member of the Madrid Duets in Boone County, received the award for her work with the Iowa SIDS Foundation. The Iowa 4-H Foundation, an AFP member, nominated Frideres for the award.

In the past two years, Frideres has presented to a variety of audiences including doctors and nurses, grief educators, childcare providers and Hispanic mothers.

Frideres also has written pieces published in the Iowa SIDS Foundation newsletter and the nationally published Alliance of Grandparents Against SIDS Tragedy newsletter. She began educating others on SIDS through 4-H after the loss of her nephew, Nathaniel, to the syndrome.

A piece of original artwork was created and presented to Frideres in honor of her philanthropic work.

A 2005 graduate of Madrid High School, Frideres currently attends Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge, and plans to attend law school.
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