Cactus Village Community

Kids Pride Award Winners Announced

Jul 14, 2003

June 24, 2003

From organizing penny wars to helping the elderly, 20 young volunteers made a difference in their communities, winning this year's Kids Pride Award.

The award, administered by the Volunteer Center of Maricopa County, honors outstanding volunteer service among Maricopa County young people. Individual and group winners were selected in two categories - 6th to 8th grade and 9th to 12th grade.

The Shepherd Grace Youth Group, and Jonathan Amrhein and Friends were the two group winners in the 6th to 8th grade category. While the Shepherd Grace Youth Group set examples for younger children in their congregation, Jonathan Amrhein and Friends raised money to help struggling families with medical costs.

"We saw diversely talented, innovative and committed volunteers making efforts to create a difference in the lives of others," said Lanette Rosenbaum, manager, youth & community affairs, Volunteer Center of Maricopa County.

The individual winner in the 6th to 8th grade category was Rachel Regnoni. Touched by families affected by breast cancer, Regnoni collected 773 Yoplait lids in a month. Her perseverance helps victims through Yoplait's "Save Lids to Save Lives" program by aiding the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

As Regnoni was busy collecting lids, Jennifer Thompson and her fellow students at Moon Valley High School were raising $2,500 through a penny war. Devoting at least two hours daily stuffing pennies, these group winners in the 9th to 12th grade category adopted seven Moon Valley High School families, got presents for them, purchased diapers and donated to other causes.

Meanwhile, loneliness felt by the elderly touched 15-year-old Annie Scruggs to regularly visit a Gilbert elderly home. Scruggs, a winner in the 9th to 12 grade individual category now engages in long conversations with the elderly helping lessen their feeling of being isolated.

Creating an innovative program in her school called the "Best Buddies Club," Melanie Dibos, another winner in the 9th to 12th grade individual category, now pairs her colleagues with mentally challenged students. The 17-year-old student at Barry Goldwater School has seen a tremendous response to this program.

In its ninth year, Kid's Pride strives to seek out young people in Maricopa County who make community involvement a priority in their lives. Winners are honored during a Spring 2003 Arizona Diamondbacks game.

The Phoenix Pride Commission and the Volunteer Center organize the program jointly in Maricopa County. Since 1962, the Volunteer Center has been promoting and supporting volunteerism to enhance the quality of life in the community.

The sponsors of the program are the Arizona Diamondbacks, which hosts the annual awards ceremony at Bank One Ballpark in May and also donates game tickets to the winners.

For details regarding the program, call Lanette Rosenbaum at 602-263-9736 x 874.

Media Contact: Lanette Rosenbaum
Volunteer Center of Maricopa County
602-263-9736 x 874. . . ☻