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2003 Giraffe Awards Honor Five ChampionsFor release: Contact: Immediate Elinor Goldberg 207-634-1868 ext. 203 2003 GIRAFFE AWARDS HONOR FIVE CHAMPIONS AUGUSTA - Five individuals and organizations making extraordinary efforts in behalf of Maine children will be honored by the Maine Children's Alliance at its Champions for Children dinner May 27 in Portland. "Giraffe Awards recognize people who stick out their necks for Maine children," explained Executive Director Elinor Goldberg, "and the 2003 award recipients are very special people." Recognized for its vision is the Libra Foundation, whose president Owen Wells created the Raising Readers Program, which has placed more than 230,000 books in the hands of very young children during routine health care visits. The Libra Foundation spent more than $1 million through the program to improve both the health and literacy of 73,250 children who have participated. Two lawyers and the Portland firm of Pierce Atwood are to be honored for their advocacy in behalf of children. William J. Kayatta, Jr. and Margaret Minister O'Keefe, contributed nearly 900 hours to a federal class action suit that took an important step toward eliminating waiting lists and service interruptions for Maine families with children who needed at-home care for behavioral and mental health problems. "Giving Maine Promise," a campaign conducted by WGME 13 and its General Manager Alan Cartwright, also will be recognized as an exceptional corporate effort to help Maine children and families. The Portland television station has pledged to link 70 percent of its public service airtime, valued at $2 million, to five child-related topics: a healthy start, safe places, marketable skills, an opportunity give back, and a caring adult. Finally, The Compass Project and its founder Pat Ryan will be recognized as an outstanding non-profit organization committed to Maine youth. Teenagers in the program build a sailboat, then learn to sail before selling the boat and establishing a scholarship fund. The project teaches job skills, such as carpentry and marketing, as well as problem-solving techniques. The 2003 awards are to be presented during the annual Champions for Children dinner, conducted this year May 27, at Holiday Inn By-The-Bay in Portland. Gov. John E. Baldacci is keynote speaker. Reservations or information are available from Bonnie Colfer, 207-623-1868 ext. 201, and at wwww.mekids.org. Giraffe Awards are presented annually by the Maine Children's Alliance, a statewide non-profit, non-partisan organization. It advocates in behalf of Maine Children and brings people together to improve the quality of life for Maine children. The organization also publishes the highly regarded Maine Kids Count Data Book, which provides extensive information on the status of children in each Maine county. Updated: Sep 4th, 2008 - 15:24:01 |
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A Strong and Powerful Voice to Improve the Lives of All Maine's Children, Youth and Families
© 2002 Maine Children's Alliance, 303 State Street, Augusta, Maine 04330 v. (207) 623-1868 f. (207) 626-3302 e. Mainekids@mekids.org Section 508/Bobby Approved. www.mekids.org |