The Jefferson Awards & All Stars Helping Kids Select Top 10 Finalists, the 'Dream Team for Public Service'

Drew Brees (NFL), Paul Pierce (NBA), Tamika Catchings (WNBA), Ernie Els (PGA) and More Selected as Finalists for Prestigious Awards

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Ronnie Lott, NFL Hall of Famer and founder of All Stars Helping Kids, today announced the ten "Dream Team For Public Service" finalists from 36 nominees selected for the Jefferson Awards for Public Service. The awards seek to honor athletes who display an exemplary commitment to service in their community.  The ten will be officially recognized at All Stars Helping Kids' annual Sports, Business & Philanthropy Breakfast in the bay area on March 14th, 2011.

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Jefferson Award Finalists for Outstanding Service by an Athlete

(To make a $5 donation to the charity of the athlete's choice, text the code below to 50555)

Over the next two months, each athlete will have the opportunity to raise money for the charity of their choice through a text-to-donate campaign. All Stars Helping Kids will award matching funds up to $2,500 for each finalist. To learn about each finalist and their beneficiary organizations, please visit the All Stars Helping website at http://www.allstarshelpingkids.org/teammates/index2011.html.

The two award recipients will be announced in the spring and will have the opportunity to attend the Jefferson Awards National Banquet in our nation's capitol on June 21st, 2011 Past recipients of Jefferson Awards for Public Service include, Oprah Winfrey, Colin Powell, Lance Armstrong and Bill and Melinda Gates.

In the fall of 2010, The Jefferson Awards and All Stars issued a call to service, encouraging teams to nominate community oriented athletes and asking fans to show their support by helping to select the winners. Voting was conducted both online and via text message, with over 64,000 casting their vote for one of the 36 nominees.

"These champions represent a wide swath of success both on and off the playing field, and we are very excited to be able to honor this group," Lott said. "The real winners in this process are the millions of people that all these athletes have assisted in community service. It is an honor for us to recognize this group and assist all of them in their very noble endeavors."

"It is a pleasure to recognize these ten outstanding athletes and we are excited for them join us in Washington for the national ceremony," said Sam Beard, founder of the Jefferson Awards for Public Service.  "Many times we forget that elite athletes from so many different walks of life are using their stature to make an impact, and this group is a great cross-sampling of what is being done in so many sports to impact the lives of others.  They are all leaders and champions in their own ways, and we are proud to salute them all."

About All Stars Helping Kids

Since 1989, All Stars Helping Kids has been a galvanizing force and vehicle for individuals and corporate partners to invest in the future of children in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond.  All Stars Helping Kids' mission is to promote a safe, healthy, rigorous learning environment for disadvantaged children in low-income communities.  

About the Jefferson Awards for Public Service

The Jefferson Awards for Public Service is a prestigious national recognition system honoring community and public service in America. The Jefferson Awards were established in 1972 by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, U.S. Senator Robert Taft, Jr. and Sam Beard to establish a Nobel Prize for public service. Today, their primary purpose is to serve as a "Call to Action for Volunteers" in local communities.

SOURCE All Stars Helping Kids