posted Nov 17, 2011 9:42 AM by Melanie Gonsecki
Since 2009, we have been partnering with All Stars Helping Kids to recognize professional athletes who commit their time, energy, and resources outside of their sports to make a difference in their communities, and in the world around them. In particular, we celebrate their service as a way to inspire and activate others to “get in the game.”
Each year, professional sports teams are encouraged to nominate players for their outstanding service. The nominations are published on the All Stars Helping Kids website, which gives fans a chance to vote for their favorite athletes and support their causes. The top 10 finalists are recognized as the "Dream Team for Public Service," with one or two athletes then being chosen to receive the Jefferson Award for Outstanding Service by an Athlete (this year's Dream Team included Drew Brees, Ernie Els, Ryan Hall, CC Sabathia and Brian Westbrook). This year, Warrick Dunn was honored for his work in providing opportunities to economically disadvantaged single parents and children who have demonstrated a commitment to achieve financial independence and stability.
Ronnie Lott, founder of All Stars Helping Kids puts it this way. "The real winners in this process are the millions of people that all of these athletes have assisted in community service. It is an honor for us to recognize this group and assist all of them in their very noble endeavors." |
posted Nov 17, 2011 9:32 AM by Melanie Gonsecki
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updated Nov 17, 2011 9:34 AM
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The genesis of our relationship with the US Conference of Mayors can be traced back to Sam Beard's pioneering work in community development with the National Development Council. Because much of that work centered on engaging and supporting mayors, Sam developed and maintained relationships with many of the country's leaders.
When we were looking to launch the Youth Service Challenge, it was a natural fit to approach the US Conference of Mayors and invite them to partner with us in highlighting the ways that young Americans are making a difference in their communities, and in the world around them.
 The response from the US Conference of Mayors was nothing short of terrific. They loved the idea, and invited us to formally launch the Youth Service Challenge at their 78th Annual Conference of Mayors in Oklahoma City in June 2010. At that event, and the two following conferences in Washington DC (January 2011) and Baltimore (June 2011), we have continued to update them on our progress and provide them with easy ways for their cities to be part of the Youth Service Challenge. As a result, we have signed up over 100 cities to work with us, and in the first year over 40 mayors hosted celebrations of service events.
Above: Mayor Booker of Newark, NJ Right: Mayor Baker of Wilmington, DE.
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posted Nov 17, 2011 9:18 AM by Melanie Gonsecki
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updated Nov 17, 2011 9:20 AM
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posted Oct 24, 2011 11:36 AM by Robert Ford
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updated Oct 24, 2011 11:42 AM
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We will be celebrating our 40th Anniversary next year, and we need your help. 
We're happy to announce a video contest that is open to students at all of our participating Students In Action schools across the country. We'd like you to put together a short video that helps to tell the story of those first 40 years and what the next 40 might look like.
The winning video will be shown as part of the Jefferson Awards National Ceremonies in Washington D.C. next June, and representatives from the winning school (up to 2 students and 1 adult) will be joining us for an all-expenses paid trip to the 3rd National Youth Service Summit in Cincinnati, OH in April 2012, where the video will be premiered.
See the attachment below for more details... LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION! |
posted Aug 25, 2011 2:01 PM by Elizabeth Wackerlin
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updated Sep 28, 2011 6:22 PM
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 LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL HONORED IN NATION’S CAPITAL AS PART OF NATIONAL JEFFERSON AWARDS CEREMONIES, RECEIVED COVETED NATIONAL AWARD Adlai E. Stevenson High School from Lincolnshire, Illinois is recognized among 103 recipients from around the country with “Nobel Prize for Public Service.”
Washington, D.C., June 21, 2011– In celebration of their extraordinary contributions to their school and their selfless work within the community, the student leaders from Adlai E. Stevenson High School of Lincolnshire, Illinois were honored this evening as the National Recipient for Outstanding Service by a High School at a Washington, D.C. awards dinner. The event, the 39th annual Jefferson Awards Gala, recognized 103 recipients, regarded as one of the nation’s highest honors for community service and volunteerism. Known as the “Nobel Prize” for public service, the awards are presented each year over two days of ceremonies in the nation’s capital and New York City. A broad array of honorees are recognized – from high-profile individuals who have dedicated the better part of their lives, to public service, to celebrated professional athletes, to largely unheralded community-based volunteers. Also recognized are organizations and companies that represent the pinnacle in corporate citizenship and schools which best reflect the Jeffersonian ideals of citizen involvement. Chicago partner “Champions” include: Allstate, Exelon and Kraft.
The strategy of the youth program, Students in Action, is to create leadership teams in high schools across the nation to celebrate great volunteers, inspire others to get involved and raise additional resources to expand volunteer activities in areas of need in the community. The leadership teams in each respective region met this spring where they made a presentation before a local panel of judges highlighting their progress and accomplishments towards meeting the 7 goals of Students in Action. Adlai E. Stevenson High School was chosen for best exemplifying program goals and expanding the volunteer capacity in their school. Stevenson was first named the Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana Regional Recipient for Outstanding Service by a High School, enabling them to represent their region at the Jefferson Awards National Ceremonies and thus compete for the national title.
This year’s honorees also include Associate Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, actress and philanthropist Marlo Thomas, Chicago White Sox and Chicago Bulls owner Jerry M. Reinsdorf, Share Our Strength founder Bill Shore, former Atlanta Falcons running back Warrick Dunn and Brittany and Robbie Bergquist, the brother and sister co-founders of Cell Phones for Soldiers.
“Our nation’s greatness is derived in large measure from its goodness – from the largely unheralded yet noble Americans whose commitment to helping others embodies the founding ideals of our democracy,” said Sam Beard, founder and president of the Jefferson Awards for Public Service. “While we have been pleased to honor many prominent individuals over the years who have given back selflessly to their communities and the world around them, we are particularly excited about honoring tonight the exceptional high school student leaders because they are tomorrow’s national leaders. On behalf of the Jefferson Awards, a collective thanks and congratulations.”
The 2011 regional awards presentation took place at the Mayflower Hotel Monday June 20th, hosted by Jefferson Awards board member Robert Sakowitz. On Tuesday, June 21st, the recipients had the opportunity to visit with their U.S. Senators on Capitol Hill, with national awards being presented that evening at a gala awards ceremony at the National Building Museum. In addition, leaders from the Students in Action schools represented took part in direct service, workshops, interviews and sightseeing over the course of the celebration.
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About The Jefferson Awards The Jefferson Awards was co-founded in 1972 by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, U.S. Senator Robert Taft, Jr. and Sam Beard, as the 'Nobel Prize' for public service. Named for one of America's most influential Founding Fathers, and the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, the Jefferson Awards' central tenet is that each and every citizen shares a responsibility to work towards the betterment of their communities through economic participation, public service, volunteerism, and other such efforts to improve life for all. Today, the mission of the Jefferson Awards is to recognize, inspire and activate volunteerism and public service in communities, workplaces and schools across America. As President John F. Kennedy once said, "One person can make a difference and every person should try" and to date, over fifty thousand individuals of all ages have been recognized by the Jefferson Awards for their efforts to make the world around them a better place.
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posted May 9, 2011 1:47 PM by Karen Hatcher
Read the feature articles here:
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posted Apr 10, 2011 10:39 AM by Karen Hatcher
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updated Apr 10, 2011 10:48 AM
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Benedictine Academy 2011 Spring Competition PresentationBenedictine Academy, a small but mighty school of 146 young women from Elizabeth, NJ presented a powerful recount of their Students in Action activities during the 2011 NJ Spring Competition on April 5th at NJPAC in Newark. Before an audience of their peers representing thirteen high schools, the group earned a gold banner and the right to represent New Jersey in the national Students in Action competition as part of the Jefferson Awards for Public Service. They will also be recognized at the NJ Governor's Jefferson Awards Ceremony on June 8th at The Newark Museum in Newark, NJ.
Watch the video of their presentation:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lcwo2FmiBVg&feature=player_embedded |
posted Dec 14, 2010 2:14 PM by Michele Fidance
posted Dec 1, 2010 2:28 PM by Robert Ford
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updated Dec 1, 2010 2:39 PM
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posted Nov 15, 2010 10:37 AM by Robert Ford
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updated Nov 18, 2010 2:27 PM
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 HELP US RAISE FUNDS FOR THE STUDENTS IN ACTION PROGRAM
Every quarter, teens who participate in BEST BUY's @15 program get to earn and give points to one or more of four selected nonprofit charity organizations. Based on how many points each nonprofit organization gets, $250,000 is then shared between the four organizations. Jefferson Awards (and specifically, the Students In Action program) has been selected to be one of the @15 Exchange Partners for this quarter, and from November 2010 through January, 2011, you (teens age 13-18) can earn points by participating on at15.com. From January 15-30, 2011, you will be able to give all of the points you've earned, and that can turn into big dollars for the Students In Action program! EVERY POINT MATTERS! Know where you want your points to go? Start earning points now. The more points you earn, the more points you can give at the end of the period. You can earn points by participating in quick polls and discussions, taking surveys, playing games, and even referring your friends to sign up on at15.com. YOU CAN WIN PRIZES TOO! In order to get as many points as we can, we need your help in getting as many students registered as possible, and then in January, getting them to vote their points for Students In Action. In return, we're offering the following prizes: - 1st Prize - Representatives from your school will join us at the 2011 National Youth Service Summit in Cincinnati (April 1st - April 3rd, 2011)
Based on the percentage of the student body that registers, 2 students (plus your faculty coordinator) will get to join us, all expenses paid, in Cincinnati for the 2011 National Youth Service Summit (April 1st - April 3rd, 2011).
- 10 x 2nd Prizes - Win a Pizza Party for your Students In Action Student Leadership team
Based on the percentage of the student body that registers, a school from each region will win a pizza party for their Students In Action Student Leadership team.
- 20 X 3rd Prizes - Win a $25 Best Buy Gift Card
Every student that registers is eligible to win a $25 Best Buy Gift Card.
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