Abigail & Lillian Diuble named 2017 Youth Volunteers of the Year by Governor Snyder

Lilly and Abby Diuble. Courtesy of Diuble family.

Gov. Rick Snyder today announced the 49 winners of the 2017 Governor’s Service Awards. Manchester’s Abigail & Lillian Diuble were two of the 7 children recognized as 2017 Youth Volunteers of the Year!

“These individuals and organizations are role models for other people to follow. The impact they have on other people’s lives is incredible,” Snyder said. “They show us how to overcome obstacles and do good things for other people. They demonstrate tremendous spirit and we are thrilled to recognize them.”

Abby and Lilly Diuble have been an inspiration to their friends and community from a very young age. Lilly has both hearing and visual impairments, but she has not let this define her and has chosen to make a difference. She has helped raised over $150,000 to support research through the Foundation Fighting Blindness.

Lilly’s younger sister, Abby, has also demonstrated a passion to make a difference. In 2015, a tornado struck the Diuble family’s home in the middle of the night. Lilly was difficult to wake and barely made it to safety. Abby realized that people like her sister are very vulnerable in emergency situations and that more should be done to keep them safe. After extensive research, Abby chose to spread awareness of a bed shaking alarm that could wake a person with hearing impairments in the event of severe weather, fire or carbon monoxide. To help fund the project, Abby, with the help of her family, created the nonprofit, Diuble Family Vision. She has raised over $11,000. “In my 26 years of public service, I have never encountered individuals who, at such a young age, had the dedication for volunteering and willingness to serve for the betterment and protection of others,” said Madison Township Fire Chief Ryan Rank.

The Diubles along with the other Governor’s Service Awards winners will be honored during a special ceremony hosted by the Michigan Community Service Commission on Monday, Aug. 21, at the Detroit Opera House. The event will also commemorate the Michigan Community Service Commission’s 25th anniversary.

Congratulations, Lilly and Abby!

Abby Diuble

Lilly Diuble

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by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.