Reader’s Digest today provided the initial results from its 2012 We Hear You America campaign, naming the 18 winning communities who are slated to receive funding and promotional support for community projects and civic initiatives to better their communities.

Red Boiling Springs placed in the thirteenth slot, which comes with a $5,000 cash prize.

The funds will be used to create a heritage museum in the old bank building in downtown Red Boiling Springs.

Red Boiling Springs City Hall was notified by Reader’s Digest this morning around 9 a.m., where George McCrary was able to speak with the publication’s representative calling to congratulate them on their placement among those towns who will receive a monetary donation.

“I just happened to be in city hall when the call came in. It wasn’t planned. I was there paying my water bill,” said McCrary, who is a Red Boiling Springs City Councilman as well as Vice-Chair of community organization Vision 2020, Inc.

Vision 2020 was instrumental in getting people to their computers and voting for Red Boiling Springs, and McCrary says the group’s secretary Rita Watson was the driving force behind the group.

“Rita Watson was kind of the lead person in doing the legwork to get everyone involved and voting,” said McCrary.

“I want to congratulate and thank everyone that helped us make this happen,” he added. “Hopefully, we can take this money to make a reality out of the bank project.”

Reader’s Digest officials said that initial results were considered unofficial until the final vote tallies cast prior to midnight March 1, 2012, could be reviewed and verified, which they expect may take a week to complete.

The announcement culminated the more than four-month We Hear You America 2012 campaign, the popular national, grassroots initiative that serves as a catalyst to empower Americans to help their local communities by casting votes for their hometowns. More than 31.9 million votes were cast by residents from cities, towns and villages representing all 50 states.

Since its inception in 2010, We Hear You America has touched half of the cities, towns, and villages in the United States. Reader’s Digest has provided more than $20 million in financial and promotional support, as well as assistance to community projects and civic initiatives in 128 communities.

Subject to verification, the winning towns and funding awards for the 2012 campaign are as follows:

1. Lake City, IA - $50,000 (population 1,578)

2. Higginsville, MO - $25,000 (population 4,498)

3. Minot, ND - $25,000 (population 40,888)

4. El Paso, IL - $10,000 (population 2,870)

5. Lake Andes, SD - $10,000 (population 1,805)

6. Weaubleau, MO - $10,000 (population 560)

7. Beavertown, PA - $10,000 (population 1,792)

8. Rossville, KS - $10,000 (population 1,151)

9. Joplin, MO - $5,000 (population 49,024)

10. Ericson, NE - $5,000 (population 104)

11. Appleton City, MO - $5,000 (population 2,202)

12. Chenoa, IL - $5,000 (population 1,785)

13. Red Boiling Springs, TN - $5,000 (population 1,028)

14. Taylorville, IL - $5,000 (population 11,264)

15. Frisco, TX - $5,000 (population 116,989)

16. Collingswood, NJ - $5,000 (population 13,926)

17. Richville, NY - $5,000 (population 323)

18. Needles, CA - $5,000 (population 4,844)

Funding will be provided to local governments, which will then determine how the funds will be used with the input of local residents.

“Reader’s Digest offers congratulations to all of the We Hear You America winners, and to all participating communities on their extraordinary efforts. With more than 31.9 million votes cast from cities, towns and villages representing all 50 states, the amount of community spirit we’ve seen throughout the We Hear You America campaign has been remarkable,” said Dan Lagani, president of Reader’s Digest North America. “The last few years have been very difficult for families and towns alike. However, even in these challenging times, Americans still rally their communities to bring about positive change. It’s a testament to the resilience of the American spirit.”

During the course of the campaign, local residents from across the country have expressed their hometown pride and identified worthwhile community initiatives, from repairing towns that had suffered natural disasters, to renovating historically significant buildings, to creating parks and recreation centers for families, and much more, all of which were highlighted on ReadersDigest.com/America. A common theme of the winning towns was their ability to rally local citizens to vote. There were holiday vote-a-thons at local libraries and voting parties at local restaurants. Local media also weighed in, providing welcome coverage highlighting and promoting community efforts to get out the vote. Reader’s Digest each week identified Mayors and community leaders who were working to make a difference for their towns.

Reader’s Digest today said it will continue its efforts to highlight what makes American communities great with a new, second phase of the We hear You America campaign, We Hear You America: America’s Most Interesting Town. To learn more, go to ReadersDigest.com/America.

We Hear You America Foundation

As Reader’s Digest undertakes its search for America’s Most Interesting Town, it will continue We Hear You America’s efforts to support much needed community projects through the Reader’s Digest We Hear You America Foundation. The goal of the foundation, which is in the process of receiving its 501(c)3 status, is to help fund, through the generosity of Americans, community projects that will help local cities, towns, and villages enrich their quality of life. Reader’s Digest intends to contribute financially to the foundation and will cover administrative and fundraising costs.

To help jump-start contributions, Reader’s Digest is offering anyone who contributes $10 via ReadersDigest.com/America a one-year subscription to Reader’s Digest magazine as a bonus. More information about the Reader’s Digest We Hear You America Foundation can be found at ReadersDigest.com.