Award-Winning Author Nami Mun Receives the 2013 "Spirit of Youth" Award From the National Runaway Safeline
CHICAGO, Nov. 1, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Author and National Runaway Safeline (NRS) volunteer Nami Mun received NRS' 2013 "Spirit of Youth" award, which recognizes her work and dedication to help keep America's runaway, homeless and at-risk youth safe and off the streets. Pulitzer Prize winning columnist Mary Schmich presented her with the award. The ceremony took place tonight at NRS' annual "Spirit of Youth" benefit at the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago.
"Nami is a valuable and committed frontline team member who uses hard-learned life lessons from her own runaway experience to help others. You see it in her book 'Miles from Nowhere' and youth benefit from it when they connect with her through NRS' hotline and online services," said Maureen Blaha, NRS executive director. "We're recognizing her for the awareness she continues to spread about the runaway crisis, as well as her time that she selflessly gives to help NRS and its mission."
Past Spirit of Youth award recipients have included Cyndi Lauper and her True Colors Fund, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, Chef Charlie Trotter, the Chicago Cubs, actors Tim Matheson and Sharon Lawrence, Coldwell Banker, Greyhound Lines, Inc., as well as Maree Bullock and her late husband Jimmie Alford.
Tonight's event raised funds for NRS programs and services that benefit runaway, homeless and at-risk youth and their families throughout the country. This year's gold sponsors are Allstate, Blue Cross Blue Shield Illinois, Carlton Technologies, Inc., Chicago Tribune, Greyhound Lines, Inc., Hugh M. Hefner Foundation, I.U.O.E. Local 150, Radio Flyer, United Airlines, and Bonnie and Steve Wheeler.
The National Runaway Safeline, formerly known as the National Runaway Switchboard, established in 1971, serves as the federally-designated national communication system for runaway and homeless youth. NRS, with the support of more than 150 volunteers, makes more than 250,000 connections to help and hope through hotline (1-800-RUNAWAY), online (1800RUNAWAY.org) and offline resources. NRS provides crisis intervention, referrals to local resources, and education and prevention services to youth, families and community members throughout the country 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. More than 14,000 youth have been reunited with their families through NRS' Home Free program done in collaboration with Greyhound Lines, Inc. For more information, visit 1800RUNAWAY.org.
SOURCE National Runaway Safeline (NRS)
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