Do you know of a 9Kid Who Cares?

DENVER - Sometimes, a little special recognition can go a long way. For Riley Carney and Tyler Quintana, two of the 2009 9Kids Who Care, an award meant much more than accolades; it meant encouragement to keep going.

In their two stories, perhaps you will think of a child who could be one of next year's 9Kids Who Care.

"It was really encouraging for the sense that I can have a positive effect and other people are listening to what I'm saying or seeing what I'm doing," Carney said.

Carney was awarded as one of nine 9Kids Who Care in February. Her nominators cited Carney's efforts promoting literacy in her community as well as in Sierra Leone, Africa.

Carney's biggest surprise didn't come when she was given the 9Kids Who Care award. Rather, it came at the lunch celebrating her volunteer efforts. Another kid, Quintana, was sharing his story about how his heart was on the same small, war-torn country in Africa she cared for.

"Especially with Sierra Leone being such a small country, to have two kids out of nine kids out of how many others living in Denver, trying to do something, I thought it was amazing!" said Quintana, another 2009 9Kid Who Cares.

In the time since the award, Quintana has visited Sierra Leone, where he joined other volunteers to help build a school. Heritage High School in Littleton raised more than $40,000 over several years to build it.

Riley's nonprofit, Breaking the Chain, is also building schools in Sierra Leone. They are currently wrapping up construction on a second and raising money to build a third. Between these two kids, countless children in Africa will have a resource for obtaining clean water and an education.

Breaking the Chain's Web site is at www.linkbylink.org

On top of her volunteering efforts, Carney is a published author. Her first book, "The Fire Stone," is a fantasy novel for young adults aimed at getting more children interested in reading. You can take a look at it by clicking onto Amazon.com.

Quintana and Carney were both awarded with a $900 college scholarship provided by College in Colorado, as well as a $200 cash award from 9NEWS for whatever they choose.

To nominate an outstanding youth volunteer for the 9Kids Who Care award, click here to download a PDF nomination form. Nominations are due by November 20th, although they will be considered shortly after the date.

To look at past 9Kids Who Care winners, click here.