Amway Heroes Out to Improve the World

ADA, Mich., Feb. 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- By the end of this week, twelve families in Guatemala will have a home. Built with the help of about 100 Amway volunteers, these houses are the direct result of one man`s philanthropic efforts. Tim Foley`s generosity, reaffirmed by his group`s presence in Central America for the 7th time from February 22-29, was recently granted the 2011 Amway Hero Award for Generosity. In the same opportunity, three other giving Amway Independent Business Owners were awarded for their Patriotism, Leadership and Determination.

Once a year, Tim Foley travels one thousand miles south of his home in Tavares, Florida, to Huite, a small town in Guatemala. For one week, he works in the construction of homes for low-income families. "I believe if 'The Guy In Charge' lets you make some money, then you ought to do something valuable with it," says Foley. Here is what he sees as valuable: through Habitat for Humanity, the Amway businessman not only subsidizes the trip for volunteers, he also donated $250,000 to build a community of 40 homes over the next five years. The land – an investment of $500,000 – was a gift from Amway. For those efforts, Foley was the recipient of the 2011 Amway Hero Award for Generosity.

Devoted to reducing suicide and divorce among military families, Mike Schindler, a Navy veteran, founded Operation Military Family (OMF). The organization provides guidance to help military personnel preserve their families, strengthen their marriages, and curb domestic violence and suicide. On average, the company has offered support to 1,500 people each year since 2007. "We make a difference by finding out what peoples' needs are and connecting them to the right benefit or service. That shores up their family and oftentimes their marriage, which helps keep the country stronger," says Schindler, the winner of the 2011 Amway Hero Award for Patriotism.

In another country, the Dominican Republic, Ulises Feliz uses his impressive charisma as a tool to teach business and entrepreneurship to teenagers at Junior Achievement. Discovering talented young adults and coaching them to excel has also been part of Feliz`s self-imposed responsibilities. "I want to be remembered as a person who gave everything possible to help others excel, as someone who stood out as a leader for his aptitude in doing the just thing, and for helping to discover and to develop the talent of others," says the recipient of the 2011 Amway Hero Award for Leadership.

The winner of the Hero Award for Determination was Stephen Willoby, of Waddell, Arizona. He survived a tour of duty in Iraq only to break his neck in a diving accident back home. After nearly dying, the Air Force bomb disposal technician was left with no movement in his legs and no control of his hands. "In the military, we always said, 'Adapt and overcome.' That's all anyone can do in the face of adversity. How you adapt determines how you're going to live the rest of your life," believes Willoby, who has become a successful Amway Independent business owner.

The impact of these four businessmen on other people's lives didn't go unnoticed by the independent panel of judges invited to choose the winners of the 2011 Amway Hero Awards. Among more than 300 nominated for the prize, their initiatives were evaluated by a group of professionals whose backgrounds include foundation work, the not-for-profit sector, community agencies and the ministry. Last December, Schindler, Feliz, Foley, and Willoby received the awards to the ovation from a crowd of more than 4,000 Amway Independent Business Owners.

"The Amway Hero Awards Program provides us with an ongoing opportunity to honor Amway Independent Business Owners who have chosen to invest their time, energy, and often, financial resources, to make a difference in the lives of others," comments Sandy Spielmaker, Vice President of Sales for Amway North America. "We're so proud of them. Through the Hero Awards program we can give visibility to those individuals and their work...to lift them up as examples and to encourage others through their work."

REWARD

Amway created the Hero Awards program to recognize the efforts of hundreds of its Independent Business Owners who give their time and resources to improve the world. The annual program started in 2010 with awards made each year in four categories: Patriotism, Determination, Generosity and Leadership. Amway donated $10,000 to each of the winners in 2011.

AMWAY

Established in 1959 as a seller of household cleaners, Amway expanded and diversified over the years and today sees its sales led by NUTRILITE® food supplements, herbals, and vitamins, and ARTISTRY® skincare and cosmetics. Amway has helped millions of people lead better lives through consumer products, business opportunities and generous sharing with the AMWAY ONE BY ONE® Campaign for Children program.  For more Amway news visit: news.amway.com

SOURCE Amway