Young Americans are giving back in greater numbers every year, according to recent studies.

But just how much are they giving?

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, a national awards program, was created to shine a spotlight on these efforts by honoring outstanding young do-gooders each year....

One winner's inspiring story, in particular, caught my eye. Young artist Jeffrey Hanson, a junior at Horizon Academy in Roeland Park, Kan., has an impressive resume of kind acts despite having neurofibromatosis, a genetic condition that causes severe loss of vision.