Two Georgia Youth Honored for Volunteerism at National Award Ceremony in Washington, D.C.

(BUSINESS WIRE)--Two Georgia students, Mackenzie Bearup, 16, of Alpharetta and Andrew Vassil, 14, of Woodstock, were honored in the nation’s capital last night for their outstanding volunteer work during the presentation of The 2010 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 former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Olympic snowboarding champion Seth Wescott at the 15th annual award ceremony and gala dinner reception, held at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History.

“The only way I could get my mind off the pain was to escape into a great book”

Mackenzie and Andrew were named the top high school and middle level youth volunteers in Georgia last February. In addition to their cash awards, they received engraved silver medallions and an all-expense-paid trip with their parents to Washington, D.C., for this week’s recognition events.

“The Prudential Spirit of Community honorees give us great hope for the future,” said Dr. Rice. “Their compassion and commitment are already making a real difference in so many lives, and I have no doubt that their leadership will continue to positively impact the world for many years to come.”

Mackenzie, a home-schooled eleventh-grader, has collected more than 30,000 children’s books over the past three years to establish libraries or reading rooms for 27 homeless shelters in four states. Mackenzie was diagnosed with a painful neurological condition several years ago and spent many months in bed. “The only way I could get my mind off the pain was to escape into a great book,” she explained. When her doctor told her about a homeless shelter in need of a children’s library, Mackenzie decided to help. “I thought about how reading helped me get my mind off my pain and hoped it would do the same for these children.”

Mackenzie gathered books she no longer needed and asked friends and neighbors if they had books to donate. Then she dropped fliers in mailboxes throughout her subdivision, and began distributing them at garage sales. When a local newspaper published a story on Mackenzie’s efforts, donations began to pour in. With help from her family, Mackenzie sorted, boxed, and delivered 10,000 books to the shelter. Soon other shelters learned of her work and asked her to help them as well. Now, Mackenzie goes to garage sales every Friday and Saturday to look for donations, contacts homeless shelters to ask if they need books, and uses pet- and babysitting earnings to help pay for expenses. To date, she has donated more than 30,000 books to homeless shelters in Georgia, Kentucky, Illinois, and Missouri, and recently set up a nonprofit organization, Sheltering Books Inc., to expand nationwide. “I have learned that, in spite of my pain, I can feel better by helping others,” said Mackenzie.

Andrew, an eighth-grader at Queen of Angels Catholic School in Roswell, has been raising money and giving speeches for the past six years to support childhood cancer research and patient care, in appreciation for the treatment he received at age 6 for an inoperable brain tumor. “The hospital I went to, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, saved my life,” said Andrew. “I feel I owe something to St. Jude.” He shares his story on behalf of the hospital at golf tournaments, schools, country club dinners, auctions, radio station “phone-a-thons,” corporate events, major galas, and in television commercials. He also participates in the annual St. Jude Memphis Marathon on a team formed in his honor, which has raised more than $100,000 over the last three years.

Two years ago, Andrew expanded his fund-raising activities to benefit the Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research as well. He spends hours writing and rehearsing speeches, tailoring his remarks to the ages and backgrounds of his audiences. With as many as five events per month, Andrew has spoken directly to thousands of people about the importance of cancer research. In addition, he spends time supporting and comforting other kids who have been diagnosed with cancer. “I know so many people who have been through the horrors of childhood cancer,” said Andrew. “I want to help find cures so other kids don’t have to experience what I did.”

“Mackenzie and Andrew are wonderful examples of young Americans who care about the world around them and have taken the initiative to improve that world,” said John R. Strangfeld, chairman and CEO of Prudential Financial, Inc. “We salute their effort, their achievements, and their spirit of community.”

More than 21,000 young people submitted applications for the 2010 awards program last fall through schools, Girl Scout councils, county 4-H organizations, American Red Cross chapters, YMCAs and affiliates of the Points of Light Institute’s HandsOn Network. The top middle level and high school applicants in each state were selected in February and flown to Washington this week with their parents for four days of special recognition events.

Conducted in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards were created 15 years ago by Prudential Financial to encourage youth volunteerism and to identify and reward young role models. Since then, the program has honored nearly 100,000 young volunteers at the local, state and national level.

“The young women and men in America’s schools are nothing short of amazing, and nowhere is this more evident than amongst this year’s award recipients,” said NASSP President Steven Pophal. “They possess a keen intellect, servant hearts, capable leadership skills, and are filled with energy and ambition. NASSP and Prudential are honored to recognize them.”

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards are supported by the American Association of School Administrators, the National Middle School Association, the National School Boards Association, the Council of the Great City Schools, Girl Scouts of the USA, National 4-H Council, the American Red Cross, YMCA of the USA, the Points of Light Institute, and other national education and service organizations.

More information about The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards and this year’s honorees can be found at http://spirit.prudential.com or www.principals.org/spirit.

In existence since 1916, the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) is the preeminent organization of and national voice for middle level and high school principals, assistant principals, and aspiring school leaders from across the United States and more than 45 countries around the world. NASSP’s mission is to promote excellence in school leadership. The National Honor Society®, National Junior Honor Society®, National Elementary Honor Society™, and National Association of Student Councils® are all NASSP programs. For more information about NASSP, located in Reston, Va., visit www.principals.org or call 703-860-0200.

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Governor Announces GEFA Loans and Grants

Governor Sonny Perdue announced today the approval of three Georgia Fund commitments totaling $5,410,842, one Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) commitment of $2,933,874, and one water reuse grant of $300,000. The Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority (GEFA) Executive Committee approved the loans and grant to help finance water, sewer and solid waste infrastructure projects for Lamar County, the Middle Georgia Regional Solid Waste Authority, and the cities of Springfield, Woodstock and Hinesville.

“Infrastructure improvements increase the quality of life for Georgia citizens, and they help cities and counties create jobs and promote economic development,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “I’m pleased these investments are being made in water, sewer, and solid waste infrastructure.”

“GEFA’s programs are a tangible commitment by Governor Perdue and the General Assembly to assist local governments across the state with their efforts to provide clean water, sewer, and solid waste improvements,” said GEFA Executive Director Chris Clark. “In addition to the public’s health and safety, these projects are critical to a community’s ability to prosper economically.”

Clark expressed appreciation to Governor Perdue and the Georgia General Assembly for their support. He credited Governor Perdue’s commitment to helping Georgia cities and counties finance infrastructure development as one of the main contributors to GEFA’s success. Governor Perdue recommended and the General Assembly approved Amended FY2008 and FY2009 budget appropriations of $120 million for water infrastructure and reservoir development.

“The projects that we agreed to finance today illustrate how GEFA helps communities of all sizes, in all areas of the state,” said J.C. Warren, chairman of the GEFA board of directors and a member of the Screven County board of commissioners. “From the smallest of communities to the largest, GEFA is investing in communities that are willing to invest in themselves.”

GEFA helps communities prepare for economic growth and development through the provision of low interest loans and grants. The Georgia Fund is a state funded loan program administered by GEFA for water, wastewater and solid waste infrastructure projects. The loan program has maximum flexibility and accessibility, providing fast loan approvals. The Georgia Fund finances loans to local governments for projects such as water and sewer lines, treatment plants, pumping stations, wells, water storage tanks and water meters. Low interest loans from this program range from $20,000 to $50 million. The DWSRF is a federal loan program administered by GEFA for drinking water infrastructure projects.

Details of the loans and grants approved today are below:

Lamar County

Lamar County was approved for a DWSRF loan of $2,433,874 to help finance water system infrastructure improvements. The project will add new customers to the water system by eliminating approximately 176 private wells. Lamar County will pay zero percent interest on the 20-year loan along with a $500,000 subsidy. GEFA is financing the entire estimated cost of the $2,933,874 project.

City of Springfield

The city of Springfield was approved for a Georgia Fund loan of $1,380,842 to help finance improvements to the water system infrastructure. The city will pay 4.27 percent interest on the 20-year loan. The total project cost is $2,523,484 with the Effingham County Industrial Development Authority providing the remaining funds of $1,142,642.

City of Woodstock

The city of Woodstock was approved for a Georgia Fund loan of $3,500,000 to help finance repairs and replacement of sewer system infrastructure. The city will pay 4.27 percent interest on the 20-year loan. The total cost is $3,500,000 with GEFA providing the entire amount.

City of Hinesville

The city of Hinesville was approved for a water reuse grant of $300,000 to help finance construction of reuse water distribution lines to provide irrigation at county facilities, the Cherokee Rose Country Club and Fort Stewart.

Middle Georgia Regional Solid Waste Authority

The Middle Georgia Regional Solid Waste Authority was approved for a Georgia Fund loan of $530,000 to help finance the construction of two new cells at the authority’s landfill. The authority will pay 4.27 percent interest on the 20-year loan. The total cost is $530,000 with GEFA providing the entire amount.

National Endowment for the Arts Announces More Than $2,000,000 in Grants for The Big Read

GFP Note: Reading is a wonderful sport at any time, and at any age. For our readers in Georgia, the list of books and libraries who will receive a portion of this grant is listed below the article. Best start reading now!

This September The Big Read is giving even more of the nation's cities and towns something to talk about. Today the National Endowment for the Arts announced that 208 libraries, municipalities, and arts, culture, and science organizations will receive grants totaling $2,810,500 to host Big Read celebrations between September 2008 and June 2009. The Big Read gives communities the opportunity to come together to read, discuss, and celebrate one of 23 selections from American and world literature. The newest Big Read grantees represent 46 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. To date, the NEA has given more than 500 grants to support local Big Read projects.

See a complete listing of the grantees.

"Everything the NEA does we do in partnership. I am delighted to announce our 208 new partners in The Big Read. Some are new to the program, some are returning, but all of them have answered the call to action to get our country reading again," said NEA Chairman Dana Gioia.

"With this latest round of grants, I am proud to say that The Big Read has supported more than 500 public library partnerships," said Anne-Imelda M. Radice, Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the NEA's lead federal partner for The Big Read. "Through this program, public libraries continue to demonstrate their value in communities as centers of engagement, literacy, and lifelong learning. I am particularly delighted by the innovative public programming born out of library and museum collaborations."

The selected organizations will receive Big Read grants ranging from $2,500 to $20,000 to promote and carry out community-based programs. Participating communities also receive high-quality, free-of-charge educational materials to supplement each title. Reader's Guides include features such as author biographies, historical context for the book, and discussion questions. Teacher's Guides adhere to National Council of Teachers of English standards and include lesson plans, essay topics, and reproducible handouts.

The Big Read Audio Guides, which also can be used as radio programming, feature readings from the novel along with commentary from renowned artists, educators, and public figures such as Robert Redford, Colin Powell, and Mary-Louise Parker, and Big Read authors such as Amy Tan and Ray Bradbury. With support from IMLS, the Audio Guides for 14 titles from The Big Read library also will be provided to more than 14,000 public libraries nationwide.
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Georgia Libraries

University of Georgia/UGA Libraries
Athens, GA
Bless Me, Ultima

Atlanta Historical Society for The Center for Southern Literature
Atlanta, GA
The Great Gatsby

Golden Isles Arts and Humanities Association
Brunswick, GA
To Kill a Mockingbird

Muscogee County Friends of Libraries
Columbus, GA
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

Cultural Arts Council of Douglasville/Douglas County, Inc.
Douglasville , GA
To Kill a Mockingbird

Georgia College & State University
Milledgeville, GA
A Lesson Before Dying

Savannah State University
Savannah, GA
Fahrenheit 451

Towne Lake Arts Center
Woodstock, GA
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

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