Amway Honors Heroes

USA - English

• Latin America - español

ADA, Mich., June 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Amway North America named recipients with inspiring stories of determination, generosity, leadership and patriotism for its third annual Amway Hero Awards. The program honors Amway Independent Business Owners (IBOs) who invest their time, energy, and financial resources to improve the world. Along with recognition for their efforts, Amway donates $10,000 to each of the winners.

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Hero Award for Determination
The son of poor Mexican migrant workers, Frank Morales overcame prejudice and discrimination in 1940s America. Instead of being discouraged, Morales became an honor roll student, and a multisport athlete. Today, after more than 30 years as an Amway IBO, the energetic 81-year-old is still a frequent motivational speaker and an inspiration for other IBOs. In 2011, Morales published a memoir, Fields to Freedom: The Links of Life, which offers a message of hope that everyone is capable of taking control of and improving their lives.

Hero Award for Generosity
Jim and Nancy Dornan's world travels inspired them to change lives through philanthropy. They and their charitable organization, Network of Caring, have been recognized as the largest corporate network of child sponsors to World Vision, the international children's charity. In participation with Network of Caring's sister charity, The Fernando Foundation, the Dornan's helped establish and continue to financially support a school that houses orphans and street children, and provided deaf orphans in China with hearing aids and heating coal. The Fernando Foundation has also helped bring Power Soccer, the first competitive team sport designed and developed specifically for power wheelchair users, to the nation's forefront by funding and developing more than 50 new U.S. and Canadian teams. The Dornan's hope this recognition encourages others to help people in need.

Hero Award for Leadership
Mark Schaible was the Air Force's No.1-rated experimental test pilot, a top one percent officer, and endorsed to train as a space shuttle pilot. In April 1999, at age 34, he was diagnosed with a rare and deadly form of blood cancer. He was not expected to live beyond a few months. Despite the dire diagnosis and rounds of chemotherapy, he continued to hold his position as a squadron commander and an executive officer to a two-star general. He also won five triathlons and a mountain bike race. After a lifesaving bone marrow transplant, he beat the disease and now speaks to groups nationwide, offering hope to others battling cancer. Schaible didn't let cancer define his life. This experience has inspired his leadership style as an Amway IBO to help people set goals and understand their own motivations.

Hero Award for Patriotism
Mike Carroll had been a U.S. Navy SEAL and had achieved the rank of senior chief petty officer when he left the military in 1992 to focus on being a husband and father and his Amway Independent Business. Following the September 11 attacks, Carroll underwent hip surgery in order to re-enlist in the Navy at age 49. The next year he deployed with his special operations forces team to Iraq. After his tour of duty, Carroll continued training SEALs until retiring last year from active duty at age 55. Despite his many years in the military, it was becoming an Amway Independent Business Owner that showed Carroll the true meaning of patriotism.

The honorees of the 2012 Amway Hero Awards were chosen by an independent panel of judges whose backgrounds include foundation work, the not-for-profit sector, community agencies and the ministry, from among hundreds of nominations.

AMWAY
Amway is one of the world's largest direct selling businesses. Alticor Inc., parent company of Amway, reported global sales of $11.3 billion in 2012. Founded in 1959 and based in Ada, Michigan, Amway offers consumer products and business opportunities in more than 100 countries and territories worldwide. The top-selling brands for Amway are NUTRILITE^® vitamin, mineral and dietary supplements, ARTISTRY^® skincare and colour cosmetics, and eSpring^® water treatment systems.

SOURCE Amway