Virginia Youth Group Earns International Youth Philanthropy Award
ARLINGTON, Va., Nov. 6, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Miles of Scarves, a group of girls based in Henrico, Va., that knits scarves to raise money for the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society, has been named the 2014 Bob Carter Companies Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy, Group, by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP).
The girls of Miles of Scarves (MOS) will receive their honor at the National Philanthropy Day® Honors: A Celebration of People and Impact event on Nov. 15 in Washington, D.C. at the Omni Shoreham Hotel.
Miles of Scarves (MOS) was started by Meredith Polk in 2009 when she was 10 and has involved nearly 30 girls between the ages of 9 and 16. Through knitting and selling scarves, as well as other fundraising efforts, MOS has donated over $20,000 to the MS Society.
MOS uses the money it raises to sponsor rest stops on the BikeMS Ride, fund MS research and help families in need by providing money for holiday gifts that the families could not otherwise afford due to treatment costs. In addition, MOS has sponsored three college scholarships of $1,500 to $2,000 for high school seniors who have MS or have a parent with MS.
MOS' work has even inspired others in different countries. For instance, a group in Canada, Metres of Scarves, was started after its founder received a MOS scarf. In 2012, Meredith was asked to speak about MOS at the National MS Society's Annual Conference, and women who met Meredith there are now knitting scarves for MOS.
"This award is a great honor and an incredible opportunity for us to share our story to spread awareness about MS," said Meredith Polk, founder of Miles of Scarves. "We'd love to help other girls start their own Miles of Scarves groups."
The National Philanthropy Day® Honors recognize outstanding leadership, commitment and generosity in philanthropy. Miles of Scarves is one of six finalists who will be honored on National Philanthropy Day®. More information can be found at npdlove.com.
Since 1960, the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) has advanced effective and ethical philanthropy by providing advocacy, research, education, mentoring, collaboration and technology opportunities for the world's largest network of professional fundraisers. AFP's more than 30,000 members raise more than $100 billion annually. For more information, go to www.afpnet.org.
CONTACT: Michael Nilsen, Vice President, Public Affairs, (425) 241-4675
SOURCE Association of Fundraising Professionals
Share this article