By Craig Marx, Editor

Antigo native Shelli Hagerty recently gave back to the organization that has influenced her life in a big way – 4-H. Earning a $10,000 endowment from her employer, the Exelon Corporation, for her exceptional work as a community volunteer to be used for a charity of her choice, Hagerty selected a group in which she is still an active participant years later.

“4-H really means a lot to me. I was a member as a kid and I later volunteered when I was in college. The organization has really taught me a lot in terms of leadership and public speaking. This chance was great for the company and was a great opportunity to let me give back to my hometown community,” Hagerty said.

Hagerty is currently the head of the Tree Toppers 4-H Club in Langlade County and is also the 4-H and Fair Board treasurers. The donation on behalf of Exelon and Hagerty will be allotted to the organization’s Leader’s Association, a group that plans trips, activities, and the Project Discovery program.

There were 190 applicants who applied for the company’s volunteer achievement awards and donations this past year. The 21 finalists and recipients were recognized for their unselfish work on Thursday, May 19^th at an awards luncheon at Chase Tower in Chicago.

“It was very good [experience] and a nice luncheon. My husband was there with me. The view from the executive suite was great and I had the opportunity to go to Millennium Park afterwards,” Hagerty said of her rewarding afternoon.

Exelon, a Fortune 500 company, has contributed over $1 million to nonprofit organizations in the last decade on behalf of 113 employees. This year’s cash grants, donated for volunteer work completed in the 2015 year, are valued at $145,000.