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Mother/Daughter Teams Complete Service Projects That Give Back

The projects are complete and the votes are in!!  For a second year, we sponsored the 2012 Julie Foudy Sports Leadership Academy “Choose to Matter Contest” where girls across the country give back to their community through service.  We are proud to announce this year’s winners: Kate Walner (JFSLA California); Shannon Moran (JFLSA Illinois); Emily Jurcsek (JFSLA New Jersey), Elizabeth and Katie Overberg (Mother/Daughter); and Amber Abernathy (Girl Talk).  Learn more about the winning projects.

The Century Council specifically sponsored the mother/daughter category whereby mothers and daughters created service projects as a team. It is well-documented that a girl’s participation in a service is a protective factor, building confidence and providing purpose.  Uniting a mother and daughter through service opens the lines of communication and strengthens families through a united cause.

Girls ranging from age 9 to 17 completed 69 service projects addressing a wide variety of topics including: raising funds for a safe and accessible baseball field and all-inclusive playground for kids with special needs; hosting book drives for inner city schools; educating kids about diabetes prevention; fundraising to help families fighting cancer; and delivering powerful messages to teens to say no to gun violence.

The grand prize winners will continue their service as Youth Leaders at the Special Olympics Florida State Summer Games at Walt Disney World in May.  The young girls will promote inclusion, acceptance, and social justice.

Congratulations to all contestants and the grand prize winners!

Don’t miss a beat of the winners’ experience in Florida – follow their service on @jfoudySLA and Ask, Listen, Learn’s Facebook and Twitter!

Watch Video Message from Julie Foudy