|
|
Matthew Sanford, Winner of Volvo's National Hometown Hero Award
In 1978, Matthew Sanford survived a horrific car crash that left him paralyzed from the chest down. Nearly 30 years later, Sanford is revolutionizing the rehabilitation process through his nonprofit organization Mind Body Solutions and his groundbreaking yoga teachings. Volvo today announced that Sanford, from Orono, Minn., has been named one of the top three winning heroes in the 6th Annual Volvo for life Awards. Sanford is being recognized in the program's Quality of Life category and will receive a $100,000 contribution to the charity of his choice. Sanford will receive his award at the Volvo for life Awards Ceremony at New York City's world famous Cipriani's 42nd Street on March 19. During the ceremony one overall Grand Award winner will also be named "America's Greatest Hometown Hero" and will be presented with a new Volvo every three years for the rest of his or her life. "I am incredibly grateful for the recognition and support from Volvo," Sanford said. "The award is a wonderful breath of fresh air for Mind Body Solutions and I'm so thankful for the honor." More About Matthew Sanford At age 13, Sanford, now 42, was involved in a car crash that took the lives of his father and sister, and left him paralyzed from the chest down. Advice from his doctors to "forget his lower body," however, was what really crippled Sanford, leading him to ignore his once-athletic body, until he discovered yoga at age 25 and the power of the mind-body connection. Now, he is a nationally recognized yoga teacher, author and renowned expert in mind-body integration who has inspired and enhanced the lives of thousands. In 2001, Sanford founded Mind Body Solutions, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the simple and practical notion that minds and bodies work better together, offering programs in the workplace, in corporations, at the yoga studio and in the community at large. Sanford teaches yoga to people of all abilities at the Courage Center in Minneapolis and at fitness studios throughout the country, but he is a pioneer in adapting yoga for people living with disabilities. Sanford also shares his philosophy on the fundamental importance of the mind-body relationship for everyone through his personal memoir Waking: A Memoir of Trauma and Transcendence, and a busy schedule of speaking engagements to a broad-base of audiences nationwide. He is currently using his personal experience to help transform the delivery of healthcare, including an initiative for veterans. For more information about Matthew and his work with the mind body integrative health movement, visit: The American public selected Sanford and eight other finalists, three in each category of Safety, Quality of Life and Environment. A distinguished panel of judges-including Hank Aaron, Sen. Bill Bradley, Maya Lin, Dr. Sally Ride, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Dr. Mae Jemison and Edsel B. Ford II-then selected Sanford and two other category winners, who are: Safety Marilyn Adams, Earlham, Iowa In 1987, Marilyn Adams, 57, founded Farm Safety 4 Just Kids and set out on a mission to promote safe farm environments and eliminate farm-related child health hazards, injuries and fatalities. Farm Safety 4 Just Kids now has 137 chapters throughout North America. Through her visits to rural schools, media appearances, testimony before government agencies and in Congress, Adams has spread her farm safety message across the country. Environment Lorraine Kerwood, Eugene, Ore. Lorraine Kerwood, 47, established NextStep Recycling. The organization has recycled more than 800 tons of electronic waste and placed 11,000 computers in disadvantaged communities in the United States and abroad. More than 500 computers have been shipped to rural Guatemalan schools, orphanages and non-governmental organizations. The Volvo for life Awards, launched in 2002, is the largest-ever national search for and celebration of everyday heroes in the categories of Safety, Quality of Life and Environment. Volvo Cars of North America provides $1 million in awards and contributions in honor of heroes. Since the inception of the program, Volvo has contributed more than $5 million to help hometown heroes continue their extraordinary work in their communities. Alexandra Scott Butterfly Award Winner Unveiled In addition to the three category winners, Volvo also named 10-year-old Zach Bonner, of Valrico, Fla., the winner of the Alexandra Scott Butterfly Award. The award was created by Volvo Cars of North America to honor young heroes who do the extraordinary in the areas of Safety, Quality of Life and Environment in the name of Alexandra Scott, a Volvo for life Awards winner from Wynnewood, Pa., who passed away at age eight from cancer. She raised more than $1 million for pediatric cancer research through lemonade sales and other fundraising activities. Parents Jay and Elizabeth Scott continue promoting Alex's cause and raising money for pediatric cancer research through their foundation, Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation. Bonner, who will receive a $25,000 charitable donation, founded the Little Red Wagon Foundation, Inc., an organization that collects and donates backpacks filled with food and school items to disadvantaged children nationwide. In late 2007, Bonner completed a marathon walk from Tampa to Tallahassee, Fla. covering - 280 miles over 23 days, raising money and awareness for homeless children along the way.
|
 MORE HEADLINES
ALSO ON KARE |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
