GREENSBORO, NC (August 24, 2020) 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 few minutes an underground utility line is damaged because someone decided to dig without first calling 811.

Jackson Richardson is a senior at West Montgomery High School and a member of Boy Scout Troop 6 located in Mount Gilead, NC.  Jackson has been involved in Scouting since he was in first grade and has always aspired to be an Eagle Scout.  He began his project earlier this year, and after much planning, fund raising, calling 811 to locate underground utilities and implementation, it is complete!  Jackson designed an obstacle course for his neighborhood in Montgomery County.  Each obstacle is versatile so that all fitness levels can enjoy the course.  The course is fun and challenging for all!

Jackson has earned 37 merit badges, 16 more than required for Eagle Rank.  He is a member of the Order of the Arrow.  He has served as Senior Patrol Leader, Quartermaster, and OA Representative for his Troop.  He also served as a camp staffer at Camp Barnhardt teaching merit badge classes to other scouts.  Scoutmaster, Scott Richardson, also Jackson’s dad, stated, “Jackson is a natural leader.  Our scouts look up to him.  I believe that Scouting has helped make Jackson the extraordinary young man that he is today.  In addition, it has prepared him for life.  I can’t wait to see what he can do next!”

On Tuesday, August 4, 2020, 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. NC811 also sponsored Jackson with a $250 check that he used for the building of the obstacle course. “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 a fast and easy communications link with local utility providers. The public provides NC811 information about excavation, NC811 transmits the information to utilities and they send out locators to mark underground lines for free. Call 811 or 1-800-632-4949 three working days before you plan on digging or use SAT (Single Address Ticket) at https://www.nc811.org/single-address-ticket.html.