United Airlines Receives the 2014 Spirit of Youth Award From the National Runaway Safeline

CHICAGO, Nov. 6, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- United Airlines received the National Runaway Safeline's (NRS) 2014 Spirit of Youth award, which recognizes its commitment to helping keep America's runaway, homeless and at-risk youth safe and off the streets. Kasey White, Roque Sanchez and Maria Rivera, who embody the spirit of youth and are featured in this year's documentary "The Homestretch," presented United Airlines with the award. United Airlines Director of Corporate and Community Affairs and NRS Board of Directors' Vice Chair, Suzi Schelewitz, accepted the award on behalf of United Airlines tonight at NRS' annual Spirit of Youth benefit at the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago.

"Since 2005, United Airlines has contributed more than $210,000 in cash and in-kind support to the National Runaway Safeline," said Maureen Blaha, NRS executive director. "Its unwavering commitment to the National Runaway Safeline and the runaway and homeless youth crisis is truly invaluable."

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., author and NRS volunteer Nami Mun, 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 Chicago Tribune, Greyhound Lines, Inc., Hugh M. Hefner Foundation, Radio Flyer, United Airlines, Bonnie and Steve Wheeler, and Wolfort Family Foundation.

The National Runaway Safeline, formerly known as the National Runaway Switchboard, established in 1971, serves as the federally-designated national communication system for runaway, homeless and at-risk 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), texting (66008) 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 15,000 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

Related Links

http://www.1800runaway.org