The Jefferson Awards for Public Service
New York, March 6, 2013 – Known as the “Nobel Prize for public service,” the Jefferson Awards honored The Robin Hood Foundation with this year’s top prize at the Jefferson Awards New York National Ceremony: the 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award. Hailed by Fortune magazine as “one of the most innovative and influential philanthropic organizations of our time,” Robin Hood has donated $1.25 billion dollars since 1988 to end poverty in New York City.
Recipients of the “Globechangers”
NFL defensive tackle Marty Lyons was honored for Outstanding Service by a Professional Athlete. Dedicated to reaching out to terminally ill children, the Marty Lyons Foundation has granted over 6,000 wishes since its founding and expanded throughout twelve states. The award for Outstanding Service by an Entrepreneur went to Gerald Chertavian, whose organization Year Up provides professional training to low-income youth.
Founded by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Senator Robert Taft Jr., and Sam Beard, and now celebrating its 40th anniversary year, the Jefferson Awards honor extraordinary individuals and companies whose profound achievements and commitment to their communities are making the world a better place to live.
“This year’s Jefferson Awards recipients have made real and lasting differences in the lives of countless people across the United States,” said Sam Beard, the Jefferson Awards President.
Milestone Recognition
This year’s awards also mark a special milestone for the cofounder of the Jefferson Awards, as Sam Beard observes his 50th year in public service. Beard, whose career in public service began in 1962 working with former U.S. Senator and Attorney General Robert Kennedy in Brooklyn’s Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood, has had the honor of initiating and then co-chairing a presidential program for seven U.S. presidents, from President Nixon through President George W. Bush, which have led to the creation of more than 2 million-inner city jobs and more than $200 billion of financing.
About the Jefferson Awards for Public Service
The Jefferson Awards was founded in 1972 by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, U.S. Senator Robert Taft, Jr. and Sam Beard as the “Nobel Prize for public service.” Named for one of America’s most influential Founding Fathers and the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, the Jefferson Awards’ central tenet is that each and every citizen shares a responsibility to work towards the betterment of their communities through economic participation, public service, volunteerism and other such efforts to improve life for all. Today, the mission of the Jefferson Awards is to "collaboratively engage the nation in public service and volunteering by providing training, inspiring and enabling action, measuring impact and celebrating the achievements of exceptional individuals."
The schools report 5.2 million hours of service, valued by the Independent Sector at $109 million. Through our Youth Service Challenge, more than 150 mayors have signed on to shine a positive spotlight on student-led service projects. In year two, more than 800,000 young Americans participated in 4,900 projects.
President John F. Kennedy said, “One person can make a difference and every person should try.” From the beginning in 1972, more than 50,000 grassroots “Unsung Heroes,” employees in the workplace, young Americans and non-profit volunteers have won Jefferson Awards through our Media Partners, corporate Champions and Youth Service Initiatives.
Photo:
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