The Yavapai County Community Foundation honored Verde Valley School senior Morgan Binder as the organization’s Youth Philanthropist of the Year with a Joy of Giving award.

The honor came as a result of Binder’s involvement with Yavapai Big Brothers Big Sisters in her sophomore year as a big sister; however, her volunteer work goes back to middle school when she took a field trip to Sedona Recycles.

“We put on heavy gloves and separated the items on the conveyor belt,” Binder said. “I believe and practice the reuse, reduce and recycle philosophy. Everyone should.”

Also as a sophomore, Binder and a group of Verde Valley School students took a field trip to Agua Prieta, Mexico. The students spent a week there in an orphanage. Every day they worked on building a house for a local family.

While there, the students also worked with the children in the orphanage.

Binder’s BBBS match advisor nominated her for the award.

“Morgan is a high achiever who makes time to contribute to her community in spite of her busy school schedule. She is a fun big sister and will go on to do great things,” Jeremia Sunfellow wrote in the nomination letter.

Yvonne Rogers, with Yavapai Big Brothers Big Sisters said high school students who volunteer make a difference in the lives of younger at-risk youth in the community.

“With a role model like Morgan, these littles have someone to emulate. Young people like Morgan are our hope for the future and will make this a better world,” Rogers wrote.

Binder started with BBBS after she read an article in the Sedona Red Rock News about the need for bigs, especially younger people.

“I’ve grown up with older sisters, and thought it would be good to be a big sister and help someone like mine helped me,” Binder said.

The Yavapai County Community Foundation is an affiliate of the Arizona Community Foundation. According to the ACF website, its mission is to “lead, serve and collaborate to mobilize enduring philanthropy.” The foundation secures, manages and allocates donors’ gifts for charitable purposes. It has contributed millions of dollars to the county’s nonprofit organizations and the communities they serve.

Each year the foundation solicits nominations from the community about who best exemplifies a philanthropic attitude. Binder will receive her award at a banquet on Friday, Oct. 28, in Prescott.

“I think I do a lot of this because of how people are so grateful. I love to help others and give back,” Binder said. “A lot of that came through my parents and my school. Once I experienced volunteering on projects, I realized how much I enjoy it.”

Right now, Binder’s focus is on her schoolwork. She hopes to pursue a career in environmental science and government. Her other love is being with her little sister, who is 10 years old.

The two get together on weekends and go out to lunch, take in a movie, bake cakes or cookies or go for a walk.

“We like to just hang out sometimes and just talk, too,” Binder said. “Since BBBS is nationwide, I plan to continue volunteering through my adulthood wherever I live.”

Like most volunteers, Binder does not look for recognition, but said the award is a huge honor for her.

“I think it’s nice for people to see what I do and maybe see that they can contribute as well,” Binder said.

The award also comes with a grant made in Binder’s name to the nonprofit of her choice — BBBS, she said.