Two Louisiana 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 Louisiana students, Jolanda Burton, 18, of Amite and Carter Boyd, 14, of Shreveport 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.

Jolanda and Carter were named the top high school and middle level youth volunteers in Louisiana 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.

"Jolanda and Carter 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."

Jolanda, a senior at St. Helena Central High School in Greensburg, established a free, student-run service to complete tax returns for elderly and low-income residents in her community, and to educate them about tax matters. After learning about tax laws, procedures and software in a financial math class, Jolanda realized that she "had valuable information that could help my community." She started by completing a tax return for a friend, who then told others about Jolanda's expertise. Soon, Jolanda was receiving lots of requests for help.

With a grant from the Rural Trust, Jolanda purchased tax software, printer paper, toner and other supplies. She then recruited and trained classmates to help prepare state and federal returns, and to conduct a "Tax Knowledge" class for the community. Once her Free Tax Center was up and running, Jolanda even provided transportation for elderly and low-income taxpayers to get there. The tax service has not only saved residents the trouble or expense of filling out tax returns, but it has also enabled them to take advantage of previously overlooked deductions and credits, and increased their tax refunds, said Jolanda. "The joy of helping someone or seeing them smile because of something you have done for them is the best feeling of all time," she said.

Carter, an eighth-grader at Caddo Middle Magnet School, collects new and used athletic equipment to give to needy kids, and conducts demonstrations on how to use the equipment safely. An avid sports lover, Carter wanted to share his passion with others, but saw that many children could not afford the proper gear. "I looked at all my sports equipment and realized I had more than I could ever use," said Carter. "I thought I could begin giving my equipment to others." The idea grew from there.

To solicit donations, Carter contacted friends and relatives, distributed flyers at his school, made an announcement in his church bulletin, set up drop-off sites throughout the community, and enlisted the help of his Boy Scout troop. He also secured donations from local sporting goods stores. In his first distribution, Carter responded to an immediate need for tennis racquets at a local school. Next, he gave a variety of sports equipment to about 100 children at a local YMCA and taught them how to use the equipment safely. Carter says he hopes his effort, which he named BAGS (for "Be A Good Sport"), enables those less fortunate to not only share his love of sports, but also to develop healthy exercise habits. "Seeing the children come up to me to receive their sports items made me feel really good about volunteering," he said.

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.]