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Two Nevada Youth Honored for Volunteerism at National Award Ceremony in Washington, D.C.; Actor Ted Danson and Olympic Champion Joey Cheek Pay Tribute to Young Heroes as part of Four-Day Recognition Events

Business Wire, May 8, 2006

WASHINGTON -- Two Nevada students, Erin Brosy, 18, of Reno and Daniel Edmondson, 13, of Boulder City were honored in the nation's capital last night for their outstanding volunteer work during the presentation of The 2006 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. The two young people - along with 100 other top youth volunteers from across the country - received $1,000 awards as well as personal congratulations from actor Ted Danson and Olympic speedskating champion Joey Cheek at the 11th annual award ceremony and gala dinner reception, held at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.

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Erin and Daniel were named the top high school and middle level youth volunteers in Nevada in February. In addition to their cash awards, they received engraved silver medallions and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., for this week's recognition events.

Conducted in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards were created 11 years ago by Prudential Financial, Inc. to encourage youth volunteerism and to identify and reward young role models. Since then, the program has honored more than 70,000 young volunteers at the local, state and national level.

"Erin and Daniel exemplify the spirit of community that is so important to the future of our neighborhoods, our towns and our nation," said Arthur F. Ryan, chairman and CEO of Prudential. "By honoring them, we hope not only to give them the recognition they so richly deserve, but also to inspire others to follow their example."

Erin, a senior at Earl Wooster High School, raised community awareness about homelessness while organizing an "Empty Bowls" dinner that raised more than $6,000 for the Interfaith Hospitality Network, a church-based transitional housing program for homeless families. Erin became familiar with the plight of the homeless while hosting families staying at her church. "I was surprised how many children were homeless," she said, "including lots of teenagers like me."

After reading a magazine article about a fund-raising event for a soup kitchen in New Mexico, she decided to coordinate an "Empty Bowls" benefit in her community. She contacted art departments at all of the high schools in her area and asked them to make ceramic bowls for the dinner, and then solicited donations of soup and bread from local restaurants and caterers. Next, she found a location, arranged for publicity, and recruited volunteers. On the night of the dinner, guests were able to pick from among 300 handmade bowls and four varieties of soup in exchange for a donation. The dinner not only raised a substantial sum for the Interfaith Hospitality Network, but also increased awareness of the problem of homelessness in the Reno/Sparks area. "How difficult it would be to not have a place to call home, where your friends could come visit or you could do your homework or just be with your family," said Erin. "My fund-raiser definitely benefited those families."

Daniel, an eighth-grader at Silvestri Junior High School in Las Vegas, has been teaching Taekwondo karate classes to young children for the past five years. As a young Jackie Chan fan, Daniel began taking Taekwondo lessons when he was just 6 years old, and was so taken with the sport that he wanted to share it with others. "What inspired me to go into teaching was just pure love for the sport," he said. "I loved sharing with others the great lessons, fun and experience of Taekwondo. I also loved seeing kids understand something for the first time and the flare in their eyes."

To become a junior instructor, Daniel had to train for two years, log 350 hours of volunteer service at the Taekwondo studio, and pass both physical and written tests. He now leads classes, mentors young students, and helps them prepare for tournament competitions. Throughout the years he has taught more than 150 kids not only the physical techniques of Taekwondo, but also self-discipline, confidence, respect and integrity. "I feel it is important to pass on what I have learned," he said. "I believe everyone should experience Taekwondo."

Applications for the 2006 awards program were submitted last fall through schools, Girl Scout councils, county 4-H organizations, American Red Cross chapters, YMCAs and Volunteer Centers affiliated with the Points of Light Foundation. The top middle level and high school applicants in each state and the District of Columbia were announced in February. These 102 State Honorees are in Washington this week with their parents for four days of special recognition events.

Ten of the 102 were named America's top ten youth volunteers for 2006 at the International Trade Center today. These National Honorees received additional $5,000 awards, gold medallions, crystal trophies for the schools or organizations that nominated them, and $5,000 grants from The Prudential Foundation for charities of their choice.

Business Services Industry

Two Nevada Youth Honored for Volunteerism at National Award Ceremony in Washington, D.C.; Actor Ted Danson and Olympic Champion Joey Cheek Pay Tribute to Young Heroes as part of Four-Day Recognition Events

Business Wire, May 8, 2006

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