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

Business Wire, May 5, 2008

Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, Pays Tribute to Young Heroes as Part of Four-Day Recognition Events

WASHINGTON -- Two South Carolina students, Brittnii Watts, 18, of Sumter and Carson Cox, 13, of Myrtle Beach were honored in the nation's capital last night for their outstanding volunteer work during the presentation of The 2008 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 Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, at the 13th annual award ceremony and gala dinner reception, held at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.

Brittnii and Carson were named the top high school and middle level youth volunteers in South Carolina 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.

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.

"Brittnii and Carson 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."

Brittnii, a senior at Sumter High School, has organized a free summer "Kids Day" for the past three years that has given more than 500 underprivileged children a fun and educational opportunity that she never had while growing up. "I was always disappointed that my parents could never afford to send me to a summer camp," Brittnii said, "and I knew that when I got the opportunity, I wanted to do something for kids just like me." She also wanted to combat childhood obesity by teaching children about healthy lifestyles.

Each year Brittnii distributes more than 1,500 flyers throughout her community to advertise her one-day camp, arranges transportation for all of the participants, recruits teachers and student volunteers from her school to serve as chaperones, puts together a detailed schedule, and plans all of the activities. When Kids Day arrives, children get to play tennis, soccer, tug-of-war and other games, eat a healthy lunch, and learn the importance of staying physically fit. The success of Brittnii's Kids Day is reflected in part by the many letters and e-mails of thanks she receives from the parents of kids who attend. "It is extremely difficult to convey through words the magnificent feeling you get when you help others," said Brittnii. "The joy that I have experienced is just as rewarding as the joy I have given."

Carson, an eighth-grader at Myrtle Beach Middle School, spearheaded the remodeling and refurbishing of an outdated kitchen at a preschool for disadvantaged children. Carson got the idea for his project while volunteering with his mother and her church group at the Friendship House Preschool. "I helped out one day and saw how much the kitchen was in need of repair and remodeling," he said. "I felt it was very important to ensure a clean and healthy environment for the children, staff and volunteers of Friendship House."

Carson developed a master plan and made a list of potential contributors and volunteers, then wrote letters and visited local businesses to solicit help with his project. Carson and his volunteers installed a new custom island, cleaned cabinets and countertops, painted walls, fixed the stove, waxed the floor, and completed the renovation in just two weeks over Christmas vacation. When they were finished, Carson purchased a new microwave, pots, pans and utensils for the new kitchen. "My goal was far exceeded with the help of so many people," Carson said. "The good that you do for others will come back to you tenfold later in your life if you give from your heart."

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.

Ten of the 102 were named America's top ten youth volunteers for 2008 at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce headquarters today. These National Honorees received additional $5,000 awards, gold medallions, crystal trophies for the schools that nominated them, and $5,000 grants from The Prudential Foundation for charities of their choice. [The ceremony can be viewed at www.prudential.com/spirit.]