Aur Beck earns award inspired by Mr. Rogers

Aur Beck, the owner of AES Solar and a long-time community volunteer, says "the hardest thing for me to say is 'no.'"

His willingness to say "yes" and support others has been a boon for the Carbondale community, where Beck volunteers through numerous organizations.

Thanks to his extensive contributions, Beck has received a "Neighborly" Award inspired by Fred Rogers for his service as an educator and all-around great neighbor and community member.

As a member of the local Rotary Club District 6510, with a motto of "Service Above Self," Beck loves helping others in need. He also cooks for a local soup kitchen, serves on the Habitat for Humanity board, volunteers for the Great Carbondale Pumpkin Race and teaches others about solar energy through "coal to SOL," a clean energy job-retraining program he developed through AES Solar. He eventually created a spreadsheet to track his many volunteer commitments to ensure he wasn't trying to be in two places at the same time.

"My passion is for the people who are most disadvantaged, which tends to be youth and people who are hungry. I really like feeding people," Beck said. "My other passion is to share knowledge."

He does this by teaching a volunteer course on solar energy to students interested in the solar industry and new economy.

Inspired by his dad, who would literally give the shirt off his back, Beck said, "We came from very little and, therefore, what little we have is time. Time is the most valuable thing." He even continues his charitable work during vacations, finding service projects in other locations so he can make a greater difference in the world.

Beck received two nominations for the "Neighborly" Award. He was nominated by friend Shannon Griffin, who noted that "Aur is always doing something for the community. He is always giving back," as well as fellow Rotary Club member Gregory Kupiec. Kupiec added that "he gives his time and sweat and is not afraid to get dirty. A good neighbor helps out when and how they can, at the time help is needed or before it's needed to prevent something bad from happening."

Griffin added that Beck personifies her definition of a good neighbor. "Someone who helps others and gives to the community. A good neighbor is friendly and kind. Aur is all of these things."

Beck has lived in 34 states and four countries but raves about the phenomenal southern Illinois community and the "outpouring of goodness" he sees on a regular basis. 

When thinking about all he does for southern Illinois, Beck concluded, "I don't think of it as volunteering because it makes me feel good. And so, I'm doing it, I like to say for greedy reasons. I want to do it more and more and more and just have to be careful not to wear myself out."