By ALLEN LAMAN
alaman@dcherald.com

A new, local contest aims to inspire kindness and encourage people to make a positive social impact on their community during the month of September.

Organized by the Kimball Electronics Gives employee circle, the Dubois County Making a Difference Contest blends service and videography — with the proceeds from ticket sales set to be funneled back into local organizations.

“The whole idea is inspiration,” said Scott Saalman, who is known across Dubois County for his work with the charity program Will Read and Sing For Food and is also a member of KEG. “It can be the smallest idea that inspires people to do the same thing, or build on it. That’s what we’re hoping to generate. These acts inspiring others.”

Those interested in participating in the program are tasked with capturing the spirit of their project — which must take place this month — in a one- to three-minute video by Tuesday, Oct. 1.

The friendly challenge will culminate with an awards ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 10, at the Astra Theatre, during which the videos will be shown and winners will be announced. Tickets to the event cost $10 and are available for purchase here.

“The sky’s the limit on who you help, and how you help,” reads a description on a Facebook event page. “Whether it’s for that elderly person next door, or for someone else in need, or for the environment, or for a local charity of your choice, or some type of creative Pay It Forward activity, we encourage you to perform an act of kindness that further makes our communities be great places to live.”

The contest has four categories divided by age level. Grades one through five make up one class; sixth- through eighth-graders can enter another; high school students comprise a third; and adults, businesses and other organizations can enter in a fourth division.

There is no fee to enter, and monetary prizes will be awarded to first-place winners of the school categories. Students can also participate in an essay contest that is separate from the main project that addresses a variety of service-based themes and topics.

Dollars raised from the awards show will be used to help fund Kimball Electronics Gives grants to local charities. Last year, the circle gave $6,000 to six nonprofit organizations — four of which are based in Dubois County.

The group raises funds internally and through other public events, but Saalman is hopeful that attendance is strong at the awards ceremony. That way, the group can give even more when it doles out funds later this year.

The event will also feature performances by Debbie Schuetter, Kyle Lueken, Rafaela Copetti-Schaick and Saalman; as well as readings by essay contest winners.

Keynote speaker Alex Rose — a renowned biologist, diver, musician and underwater photographer — will also speak at the gathering.

Contest entries can be sent to Saalman at scott.saalman@kimballelectronics.com.