Massachusetts Youth Honored for Outstanding Acts of Volunteerism

Strategic Insights -

Boston - Two Massachusetts students, Mireille Manzone of Dover and Kassandra Gonsalves of Fairhaven, have been named the top two youth volunteers in the state for 2006 by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. The awards program, now in its 11th year, honors young people for outstanding acts of volunteerism. Mireille, an 18-year-old senior at Noble and Greenough School, founded an organization called "Hugs for Heroes" that has collected and shipped thousands of pounds of toiletries, baked goods, and other comfort items to U.S. soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Kassandra, a 12-year-old seventh-grader at Elizabeth Hastings Middle School, decorated pillowcases with stuffed animals and other items to give foster children comfort and a special way to carry their belongings.

Key Takeaways:

  • Mireille Manzone, 18, founded "Hugs for Heroes" to support U.S. soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan, collecting and shipping over 12,000 pounds of goods worth $8,000.
  • Kassandra Gonsalves, 12, created "Good Night, Sleep Tight" to provide comfort items, including pillowcases stuffed with stuffed animals, writing journals, and address books, to foster children in Massachusetts.
  • Other Massachusetts students recognized as Distinguished Finalists for their community service activities include Alexandra Azzolino, Cynthia Delaney, Hui Feng, Morgan Foster, Chris Murphy, and Jennifer Rogers.
  • The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program recognizes outstanding youth volunteers across the country, with 102 State Honorees and Distinguished Finalists selected from nearly 8,000 Local Honorees.
  • State Honorees will receive $1,000, an engraved silver medallion, and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. on May 8, where 10 of them will be named National Honorees and receive additional $5,000 awards.

Statistics:

  • 102 State Honorees were selected from nearly 8,000 Local Honorees for their outstanding community service.
  • Over $8,000 worth of goods has been collected and shipped by Mireille's "Hugs for Heroes" organization.
  • Kassandra's "Good Night, Sleep Tight" project has delivered over 1,000 pillowcases with stuffed animals and other comfort items to social service agencies.
  • The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program is supported by National 4-H Council, Girl Scouts of the USA, American Red Cross, YMCA of the USA, Points of Light Foundation, and other national youth and service organizations.
  • Over 4,200 Local Honorees will receive President's Volunteer Service Awards on behalf of the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation.

Sources:

  • The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program, [www.prudential.com/spirit](http://www.prudential.com/spirit)
  • National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), [www.principals.org](http://www.principals.org)
  • Prudential Financial, [www.prudential.com](http://www.prudential.com)