Courier Record, Blackstone VA July 6th, 2021 Edition

WILSONS MAN WINS PRESIDENTIAL AWARD 

Just one encounter with Ralf Friedrichs, and you’ll quickly discover that his energy and positivity are contagious. He’s a reformed alcoholic. Ordained minister. Spiritual counselor. Motivational speaker. Author of six books. Host of an iHeart radio podcast. And YouTube personality with a loyal following. But now the 60-year-old Wilsons resident -- who’s also a Dinwiddie County Convenience Center dumpster attendant -- is a recipient of the President’s Volunteer Service Award. For the past decade, Ralf has helped countless people across the globe battle addiction, depression, and other challenges. Ralf says his main mission in life today is simply to give people -- no matter where they live or their current lot in life -- hope for a better tomorrow. “The one thing I emphasize is that we need to live our lives looking through the windshield -- not the rear view mirror.” Ralf became addicted to alcohol while growing-up in Germany, where his grandmother gave him booze under the table as a young child to keep him groggy and quiet while she worked at a department store handing-out samples of liquor. Ralf’s amazing stories include serving as an MP for the National Intelligence Service in Beirut, Lebanon on October 23, 1983 when suicide terrorists killed 241 American military personnel. He was about 100 yards from the bombers’ blast. Ralf awakens every day at 2:30 a.m. to record his YouTube and podcast messages for the day. He didn’t get to receive his award in person due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but Ralf says that’s okay

He’d rather spend time reaching-out and helping others in this area. He visits Blackstone almost daily, he attends Crenshaw United Methodist Church, and he was inducted two years ago as an Honorary Board member for NAD (Neighborhoods Against Drugs) in New York. NAD is the organization that nominated Ralf for the President’s award, which is signed by former President Donald J. Trump. Ralf is ready, willing, and eager to have local organizations invite him to speak, at no charge. “I just want to bring awareness locally to our national issue of addictions.” For more information, visit his website: https://ralffriedrichs.info/ . His YouTube show is: Take Your Life Back Today Show with Ralf Friedrichs. His 24/7 hotline -- and yes, he’s talked with people so desperate they’re considering taking their own life -- is 844-405-HELP. Ralf also says that those battling addiction or depression may call or text him at: 804-895-3637. You may email Ralf at: takeyourlifebacktodayshow@gmail.com