Angel Soft(R) Angels in the Classroom(TM) Awards Program Gives Gold Stars and Halos to Some Remarkable Students

Today in Baltimore a special group of "angels" are being honored for their teamwork, creativity and perseverance in giving back to their community.

Students at Baltimore's Stadium School who call themselves the "Youth Dreamers" have been named the first-ever winners of the Angel Soft(R) Angels in the Classroom(TM) Awards Program. This national program encourages volunteerism as part of the learning experience. It's a special school-based extension of the 4th annual Angel Soft(R) Angels in Action(R) Awards Program, which honors children ages 8-15 for exemplary acts of service.

Jane Kaczmarek, star of the hit FOX sitcom "Malcolm in the Middle," honored the Youth Dreamers today, showering them with gold stars and halos at a special school assembly. Angel Soft bath tissue awarded $10,000 to the class for their unrelenting efforts in developing a youth-run youth center in their community.

"The Youth Dreamers show us all where perseverance can lead," Kaczmarek said. "They have worked tirelessly to bring their vision to life. Their commitment is to have a place of their own where neighborhood kids can learn and play as kids, and avoid negative after-school activities. I'm honored to be a part of helping them to fulfill that promise."

Classroom Service-Learning Works

Working together, a group of Baltimore 11-14 year-old students proposed the idea of creating a safe, stimulating place for children in their community. The class voted unanimously on the idea of a youth center where teens could work and younger kids could receive tutoring, build mosaics and take classes in typing, cooking, dance and health. Adult allies and volunteers will teach and supervise the programs. The students also envision the center as an organizer of community-enriching projects like block parties and neighborhood cleanups. Each student has put in more than 300 hours of service working to bring this dream to life -- writing grants, organizing fundraisers, planning and promoting their project in the community. The $10,000 award they received today from Angel Soft gives the Youth Dreamers a big push in achieving their goal of raising $349,000 -- the estimated one year operating budget of the center. "We know it may take time to raise the funds we need," Youth Dreamer Sammy Atkinson said. "We're prepared to do whatever it takes to make this dream a reality. If not for us and our friends, then for the younger ones who come after us."

Kristina Berdan, the teacher at The Stadium School who nominated her students for the Angels in the Classroom Awards program, also received $1,000 for being a positive role model and encouraging volunteerism as part of her classroom curriculum. "In my eyes, giving my students the opportunity to learn civic responsibility through their own community service project, is as important as teaching them math or science," Berdan said, "The future of our country, and, indeed, of our communities, is based on how committed these young people become at believing they can create anything and working together to make it happen."

Pint-Sized Inspiration

Georgia-Pacific, the makers of Angel Soft bath tissue, received many Angels in the Classroom entries that told inspiring stories of students nationwide who dedicate their time to helping others, making it difficult to choose just one winning class.

"Through the Angel Soft Angels in the Classroom Awards Program, Georgia-Pacific recognizes students and teachers for the devotion and selflessness they've demonstrated in their communities," said Mike Taylor, senior brand manager, Angel Soft. "This program recognizes the giving spirit of children everywhere, and, on behalf of Georgia-Pacific, I offer my thanks to each and every one of them for their positive example."

About Angel Soft Angels in the Classroom

In its fourth year, the Angel Soft Angels In Action Awards Program has now awarded more than $150,000 to individual junior philanthropists for exemplary acts of service. This year, Angel Soft introduced the Angel Soft Angels in the Classroom Program as a way to encourage classroom volunteerism initiatives. Through the classroom program more than one million students and their parents were given tools on how to start and implement community service projects. Program materials included an activity booklet to help students start a community outreach program, a parents' newsletter to facilitate volunteerism among their families and a guide for teachers with lesson suggestions and exercises.

Still a Chance -- A Last Call for Individual Entries

For those who missed the deadline for submitting entries for the Angel Soft Angels in the Classroom Awards Program, Angel Soft is still accepting nominations for this year's Angel Soft Angels in Action Awards Program. Nominate an angel in your community by June 21, 2003. Entry details are available at www.angelsoft.com. Ten angels will be awarded $5,000 each, a year's supply of Angel Soft bath tissue and participation in a special awards ceremony.

Headquartered at Atlanta, Georgia-Pacific is one of the world's leading manufacturers of tissue, paper, packaging, building products and related chemicals. With 2002 annual sales of approximately $23 billion, the company employs more than 61,000 people at 400 locations in North America and Europe. Its familiar consumer tissue brands include Quilted Northern(R), Angel Soft(R), Brawny(R), Sparkle(R), Soft 'n Gentle(R), Mardi Gras(R), So-Dri(R), Green Forest(R) and Vanity Fair(R), as well as the Dixie(R) brand of disposable cups, plates and cutlery. Georgia-Pacific's building products distribution segment has long been among the nation's leading wholesale suppliers of building products to lumber and building materials dealers and large do-it-yourself warehouse retailers. For more information, visit www.gp.com.