GREENSBORO, NC (June 28, 2016) NC811 recognizes young adults from organizations such as Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4-H, FFA, etc. for considering safe digging practices when they conduct a community service project. The award can be earned by completing a project where digging will take place and a call is made to 811 to have the underground utilities located. Once the project is completed, an application is submitted for consideration along with a copy of the locate ticket from calling 811. Striking a utility line while digging can lead to injury, penalties, repair costs, and inconvenient outages. Every six minutes an underground utility line is damaged because someone decided to dig without first calling 811.

Graham Walston is a freshman at North Johnston High School and a member of BSA Troop-381 located in Wilson, NC.  At the beginning of this year, Graham began his plan to develop, and provide leadership to a service project in hopes of reaching his goal of Eagle Scout.  After months of preparation that included raising funds for the project, calling 811 to locate underground utilities, coordinating the installation of a flag pole and surrounding landscaping, the project has been completed. Graham installed the flagpole and landscaping at Corinth Holder High School soccer field where his dad coaches and teaches.  He hopes to complete all his requirements of obtaining the Eagle Scout Award within the next month. Byron Kilpatrick, Scoutmaster stated, “Graham serves as a Senior Patrol Leader. He leads scout meetings, provides guidance to the troop and is involved with their training.  He is a fine young man and will go far in his future aspirations.”

On Tuesday, June 21, 2016, NC811 presented a safety community service award package that included a service award ribbon for his troop, service award patches to those that volunteered and a service award marker to be placed at the project location to highlight their commitment to damage prevention. “The goal of the NC811 Safety Community Service Award is to distinguish dedicated young men and women for their diligence in safely completing community projects by digging safely. This is truly the type of Excavator that NC811 is looking for:  The commitment to making the Call to 811, Waiting the required time, Respecting the Marks, and Digging Safely,” stated Ann Rushing-NC811 Education Manager. To be considered for a Safety Community Service Award, visit http://www.nc811.org/

About NC811
Since 1978 North Carolina 811 has provided you a fast and easy communications link with your local utility providers. You give us information about your excavation, we transmit the information to the utilities and then they send out locators to mark your underground lines for FREE. So remember, call 811 or 1-800-632-4949 three working days before you plan on digging.