New Jersey's Joey Rizzolo of Paramus Named One of America's Top Ten Youth Volunteers

Business Wire, May 5, 2008

State's Matthew Renzulli Also Honored During Four-Day Celebration, With Tribute From Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York

WASHINGTON -- Joey Rizzolo, 13, of Paramus was named one of America's top ten youth volunteers for 2008 in a ceremony today at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, receiving a national Prudential Spirit of Community Award for his outstanding volunteer community service. Selected from a field of close to 20,000 applicants across the country, he received a personal award of $5,000, an engraved gold medallion, a crystal trophy for his school, and a $5,000 grant from The Prudential Foundation for a nonprofit charitable organization of his choice.

Also honored in Washington was Matthew Renzulli, 18, of Wayne. He and Joey were named New Jersey's top youth volunteers in February, and were recognized last night at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History, along with the top two youth volunteers of every other state and the District of Columbia. At that event, the Prudential Spirit of Community State Honorees for 2008 were presented with $1,000 awards, and congratulated by Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York. The honorees also received engraved silver medallions and an all-expense-paid trip with their parents to Washington, D.C., for this week's recognition events.

Conducted in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards were created 13 years ago by Prudential Financial, Inc. to encourage youth volunteerism and to identify and reward young role models. Since then, the program has honored more than 80,000 young volunteers at the local, state and national level.

"Joey and Matthew are inspiring examples of young Americans who care deeply about the needs of others and who have taken the initiative to help meet those needs," said Prudential Chairman Arthur F. Ryan. "By honoring them, we hope not only to give them the recognition they so richly deserve, but also to inspire others to follow their example."

Joey, a seventh-grader at East Brook Middle School, organized a "Freedom Walk" in his town last September that drew more than 450 local residents to join in remembering the lives lost on 9/11 and thanking first responders, U.S. service members and veterans. Joey had been involved for several years in a program that sends "goody bags" to servicemen and women. When he heard about plans for a Freedom Walk in Washington, D.C., to honor 9/11 victims, he decided that one should take place in his town, too. "My town suffered great losses on September 11," explained Joey. "Even though six years have passed, the hurt still lingers."

After obtaining the approval of town and school officials, Joey recruited a faculty sponsor and student volunteers, and formed a committee to help him plan a school assembly, make presentations to other schools and community groups, find a location for the event and promote it. Joey and his committee also planned the program, rented tents and other equipment, arranged for food and refreshments, and raised more than $7,000 to defray costs. "It was an emotional and uplifting experience," said Joey. "Over 450 people gathered together to remember, reflect and renew their commitment to freedom and the values that make America strong."

Matthew, a senior at Wayne Hills High School, organized an extensive collection effort that has yielded more than 28,000 pairs of socks for homeless and other disadvantaged people in Paterson, N.J. When he was very young, Matthew volunteered with his family at a homeless shelter called Eva's Village, where he met a homeless man who wore sandals with no socks, even in the bitter cold of winter. "His feet suffered greatly from the effects of his diabetes," said Matthew. "I thought I must do something to help him and others who came to Eva's Village."

Matthew began buying and making sock collection containers and asking local churches, schools and businesses if he could place them on their premises. He now picks up sock donations every week from more than 45 "Eva's Sock Drops" in six counties; counts, sorts and packages the socks; and stores them in his garage until they are delivered to Eva's Village. He also has been able to pass along donations of underwear, hats, gloves and scarves to the shelter. In addition, he has involved his school in the project, arranging for students to get activity and car wash discounts if they donate a pair of socks. "I am fortunate that I have been able to help poor and needy people in the inner city," said Matthew. "Hopefully, the contribution of clean, warm socks has helped bring some joy and comfort to these people."

Applications for the 2008 awards program were submitted last fall through schools, Girl Scout councils, county 4-H organizations, American Red Cross chapters, YMCAs and Volunteer Centers affiliated with the Points of Light & Hands On Network. The top middle level and high school applicants in each state and the District of Columbia were announced in February. These 102 State Honorees are in Washington this week with their parents for four days of special recognition events.