Area residents need votes to keep going and going

Virginia City's Shaun Griffin is being recognized by Energizer for making a positive impact and having unstoppable energy.

Griffin founded the non-profit organization, Community Chest Inc., to assist the homeless and create positive opportunities for youth. Griffin's organization positively impacts those in need by providing essential services, such as food, counseling, Pre-K education, after-school programs and drug and alcohol prevention programs. Griffin also is working to build a community center in Virginia City.

Griffin was nominated and named to the 100 semifinalists to become the next member of the Energizer Keep Going Hall of Fame. The hall of fame celebrates everyday people who possess the same spirit as the Energizer Bunny and use that determination to make a difference.

Also nominated and named a semifinalist was Camilla Downs of Reno. Downs, inspired by her 9-year-old daughter, started a non-profit organization to help children with speech impairments and their parents receive tools to improve communication. Camilla helps these parents and children get smartphones with special applications that allow for more effective communication.

Downs and Griffin now move on to the second round of judging, during which judges will narrow the semifinalists down to a pool of nine finalists. Energizer Bunny Facebook fans will have the opportunity to select the 10th finalist by voting for their favorite Semifinalist on www.facebook.com/energizerbunny through March 25. Each of the 10 finalists will receive a $1,000 donation to a charity of his or her choice.