LOVIN’ SCOOPFUL ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF THIRD ANNUAL LOVIN’ AWARD

Premium Ice Cream Company Honors Youth Who Demonstrate and Promote Human Dignity, Inclusion, Equality and Leadership

Lovin’ Scoopful, a premium ice cream company founded by Maria Shriver, Tim Shriver and partners to benefit nonprofits that support those with intellectual challenges, proudly announces the winners of its 3rd annual Lovin’ Award. The annual award recognizes young visionaries from around the country who help empower the human spirit through involvement in programs that foster respect, inclusion and a true personal connection for people with differences.

One national winner and four regional winners from around the country were selected from students’ ages eight to 18 for their involvement with Special Olympics and other organizations that are designed to create more accepting communities.

“Each year, we are amazed by the caliber of young people who are nominated for the Lovin' Award," said Lovin' Scoopful co-founder, Maria Shriver. "These youth leaders have learned that they can use their own ideas, influence and initiative to make a tremendous impact in their communities and we are proud to recognize their extraordinary work."

“These youth are a tremendous example of what it takes to be a leader in their schools, communities and social circles,” added Tim Shriver, Lovin’ Scoopful co-founder. “We’re pleased to honor them for their outstanding efforts to promote acceptance and tolerance and paving the way for others to follow in their footsteps.”

National Winner

The national Lovin’ Award recipient is Kaylee Walter, 17, of Port Orchard, Wash. Walter was nominated by a fellow Special Olympics volunteer for her involvement in the movement for the past six years, as well as for her work with the Washington State Youth Activation Committee for Special Olympics and Project UNIFY®. Much of Walter’s inspiration comes from her younger brother who has Down syndrome. In addition to her existing commitments with Special Olympics, Walter is working toward becoming a certified coach. She is an advocate and positive influence at her high school for inclusion of all students, and hopes to become a physical therapist for children with disabilities.

As the national award winner, Walter will receive an engraved plaque; certificates for a year supply of Lovin’ Scoopful ice cream; a $100 gift card; a feature on the Lovin’ Scoopful blog, Facebook and Twitter pages; a letter of commendation from Maria Shriver; the opportunity to compose multiple blog postings about her chosen nonprofit organization; and a $500 donation for her chosen nonprofit organization.

Regional Winners

The regional winners include:

• Madeline Sanford, 14, of Great Falls, Mont., was nominated for her genuine passion for Special Olympics and her active involvement in Special Olympics Unified Sports® since 2010. Sanford completed coach training and is a regular Unified Partner for the Great Falls Lions basketball team, State Summer and Winter Games, as well as an advocate for the Spread the Word to End the R-Word Campaign.
• Caroline Gould, 17, of Dallas, Texas, was nominated by a Special Olympics Texas staff member. Gould is the president of the Highland Park Special Olympics Club at the Highland Park Independent School District. In her role, Gould has planned and organized multiple Special Olympics programs both at school and in her community.
• Michael Murray II, 17, of Cayuga, New York, was nominated for his more than 600 hours of volunteer work for Special Olympics. Murray started volunteering for the movement with his parents at the young age of five. Special Olympic athletes inspire Murray to work through challenges in life and to always cross the finish line.
• Schaene Shatto, 18, of North Branford, Conn. was nominated by a Special Olympics Unified Sports Director. Shatto won a high school essay at the Michael’s Cup Sports Banquet on the topic of helping those with intellectual disabilities. She is a senior at North Branford High School, where she is involved as a Unified Sports Partner for her school’s volleyball team.

The regional winners will each receive certificates for a two-month supply of Lovin’ Scoopful ice cream; a feature on the Lovin’ Scoopful blog, Facebook and Twitter pages; a letter of commendation from Maria Shriver; the opportunity to compose a blog posting about their chosen nonprofit; and a $250 donation for their chosen nonprofit organization.

All of the Lovin’ Award winners were selected by a panel of judges including Maria Shriver and Tim Shriver for exemplifying characteristics that promote human rights, inclusion, equality and leadership through education. For more information about the national and regional winners, visit www.lovinaward.com/2013.  

Launched in 2008, Lovin’ Scoopful’s mission is to create as many smiles as possible. Empowering the human spirit and satisfying taste buds, the company donates 25 percent of its post-tax profits ($50,000 minimum annually) to Special Olympics. Made with an all-natural base, non-rBST cow’s milk and cream, all Lovin’ Scoopful gourmet light ice cream flavors contain half the fat and have fewer calories than other premium brands, providing a healthier alternative while maintaining a super-premium taste.

All 14 flavors of Lovin’ Scoopful ice cream come in 1.75 quart containers and retail for $3.99 to $4.99 at select grocery stores around the country.  For more information, including retailers carrying Lovin’ Scoopful products, please visit www.lovinscoopful.com. Follow Lovin’ Scoopful on Facebook at www.facebook.com/lovinscoopful and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/LovinScoopful. 

Media Contacts:                    Sarah Fulghum / Kalyn Kinomoto

                                                Richmond Public Relations

                                                (206) 682-6979

                                                sarahf@richmondpr.com / kalynk@richmondpr.com

About Lovin’ Scoopful:

Lovin’ Scoopful is a premium ice cream company operating with the objective of making not only its customers happy, but also making many others happy through significant contributions to causes that help empower the human spirit. Maria Shriver, Tim Shriver, Angelo Moratti and Dan Samson launched Lovin’ Scoopful in 2008 with the intent of offering a high quality, fun and health conscious product that would also serve as an ongoing source of revenue for worthy causes. Currently, the company is proud to donate 25 percent of its post-tax profits, $50,000 minimum annually, to Special Olympics.

About Special Olympics:
Special Olympics is an international organization that changes lives through the power of sport by encouraging and empowering people with intellectual disabilities, promoting acceptance for all and fostering communities of understanding and respect worldwide. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the Special Olympics movement has grown from a few hundred athletes to more than four million athletes in more than 170 countries in all regions of the world, providing year-round sports training, athletic competitions and other related programs. Special Olympics now takes place every day, changing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities all over the world, from community playgrounds and ball fields in every small neighborhood’s backyard to World Games. Special Olympics provides people with intellectual disabilities continuing opportunities to realize their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy and friendship. Visit Special Olympics at www.specialolympics.org. Engage with us on: Twitter@specialolympics; fb.com/specialolympics; youtube.com/specialolympicshq, and specialolympicsblog.wordpress.com.

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