LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A Kelseyville teenager who is creating a program to help foster children has been named the winner of this year's Soroptimist International Clear Lake Violet Richardson Award.

Erica Illg, 14, has been named the award recipient for her “Backpacks for Foster Kids” project.

Each year Soroptimist Clubs around the country honor young women between the ages of 14 and 17 who donate their time and energy to causes that make the community and world a better place with the Violet Richardson Award.

Erica is a seven-year member of the Cole Creek 4H Club who has earned gold, silver and bronze stars for her community services, public speaking, 4-H events attended, and honors and recognition. She currently is working for her Emerald Star, the highest rank that can be achieved at her age.

Last April she decided to do the backpacks project, but funds were needed. Erica applied for and received a Revolution of Responsibility Grant of $1,000. Erica's project will be the first Revolution and Responsibility project achieved in Lake County.

She finished the paperwork, organized volunteers, interviewed social workers and foster care agencies, received letters of recommendation and agreement that the backpacks would be useful. She then obtained a letter from Lake County 4-H Director Julie Frazell.

Erica comes from a family that provides foster care for young children. She chose the backpack project by observing that the children who arrived at her home arrived with just the clothes they were wearing and nothing more.

Her backpacks contain essential items like toothbushes, toothpaste, hair brushes, socks, pajamas, blankets and stuffed animals.

The Violet Richardson Award program is named after the president of the first Soroptimist Club in 1921. Violet Richardson believed in personal responsibility and the motto, “It's what you do that counts.”

She lived her life accordingly and was as an active member of her community who was committed to creating opportunities for girls and young women. Soroptimist established the award to honor the memory of this unique woman and her dedication to volunteer action.

The Violet Richardson Award program begins at the local Soroptimist Club level, where the recipient receives a certificate and a cash award. Club level winners then become eligible for several other awards at the region level.

Soroptimist International Clear Lake raises funds for this and many other programs that benefit women and girls with the annual Spring Fling Luncheon and Auction, which is scheduled for March 1 at the Clearlake Senior Senior, 3245 Bowers Ave. The cost is $35 per person.

For more information about Soroptimist or the Spring Fling contact President Wanda Harris at 707-987-9027 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .