NEW YORK, Oct. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Martha Stewart and Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia's flagship publication Martha Stewart Living (MSL)will honor 11 extraordinary women at the first annual "Dreamers into Doers" Awards program this evening in New York City. More than 1,000 dreamers entered the competition celebrating women who have turned their passions into businesses and philanthropic programs, hobbies into careers, and aspirations into realities, just as Martha did 25 years ago with her first book, Entertaining. Martha Stewart Living will also present the first Living Legend Award to best-selling, award-winning, singer-songwriter Carole King.
Cindy Kerr from Philadelphia, PA, will be awarded the grand prize as a result of her efforts with ConKerr Cancer, a group she started to provide
hand-quilted pillowcases to children with life threatening illnesses like
her son Ryan, who is battling cancer. While the Kerrs continue to fight for
Ryan's life, hundreds of ConKerr Cancer volunteers have provided more than
14,500 pillowcases to children at pediatric hospitals throughout
Pennsylvania, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Florida. Cindy will receive the
$10,000 grand prize from MSL to further pursue her dream and continue her
philanthropic efforts. Additionally, Bank of America will match MSL's
commitment of $10,000, Talbot's will provide a $1,000 wardrobe with a
limited edition bag to help her keep any paperwork organized and within
hand's reach and HUSQVARNA VIKING(R) will award a DESIGNER(R) SE Limited
Edition sewing machine to help with the production of pillowcases.
"Cindy's story is as inspiring as it is touching," said Martha Stewart,
Founder of MSLO. "I am so proud of her and of all the women who entered the
contest and I am thrilled to recognize our first-ever Dreamers into Doers
Awards program. I hope their experiences will lead others to pursue their
passions and find success doing something that is meaningful to them."
Cindy Kerr and the 10 honorees were flown to New York City where they
appeared today on the Emmy-award winning The Martha Stewart Show and will
attend the awards ceremony at Frederick P. Rose Hall, Home of Jazz at
Lincoln Center this evening. The 10 honorees represent a wide range of
talents and efforts, from sending cookies to the troops overseas, to
creating community gardens and establishing an arts center for at-risk
teens and special needs children. Each will receive a $1,000 award from
MSL, a matching contribution of $1,000 from Bank of America and a $250
Talbots shopping spree. A complete overview of all 11 winners and their
stories are included below. Additionally, the Dreamers into Doers winners
are featured in the November issue of Martha Stewart Living.
Carole King will also be recognized as a Living Legend at the awards
ceremony. A celebrated songwriter, performer and environmental advocate,
Carole challenged herself and created Tapestry, one of the most memorable
and successful albums of all time. Her music has inspired countless women
to follow their dreams. Carole will release a new DVD today on her own
label, Rockingale Records titled "Welcome to my Living Room" and performed
during The Martha Stewart Show. This evening she will perform at the award
ceremony.
"Bank of America is proud to sponsor Martha Stewart Living's "Dreamers
into Doers" program which will help transform the dreams of 11 remarkable
women into tangible business realities," said Beverly Ladley, small
business strategy and deposits executive for Bank of America. "Bank of
America is committed to supporting the successes of small business owners
across the country and, with our matching funds, we hope to advance the
goals of such notable entrepreneurs."
"We love this program because it promotes hope and celebrates the
creativity and entrepreneurial spirit within women," says Betsy Thompson,
Talbots director of corporate communications and public relations. "We
applaud the honorees and everyone at Martha Stewart Living for reminding us
that dreams can come true."
Dreamers into Doers -- Honorees:
Grand Prize Winner
Cindy Kerr, nominated by her husband Gavin Kerr
Philadelphia, PA
A talented quilter and a loving mom, Cindy Kerr started making colorful
pillowcases to brighten her son Ryan's hospital room during his cancer
treatments. With the positive response from her son, the hospital staff,
and other families with sick children, Cindy knew she was on to something
much bigger. One mom's dream to make her child happy gave rise to ConKerr
Cancer. Cindy started ConKerr Cancer to provide cheerful pillowcases for
other children with life-changing illnesses. While the Kerr's continue to
fight Ryan's cancer, hundreds of ConKerr Cancer volunteers have provided
more than 14,500 handcrafted pillowcases to children at pediatric hospitals
throughout Pennsylvania, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Florida. Find out
more about Cindy's mission at www.conkerrcancer.org
Winners:
Kim Waite
Christchurch, VA
Kim's Custom Cards
When money was tight, Kim started making personalized cards for her
children. Kim's Custom Cards has grown from a hobby into a successful
stationery business with her products in 80 stores across the country.
www.kimscustomcards.com
Victoria Wessler
Lebanon, IN
Going Local blog
Working as a corporate consultant, Victoria had her head in the
boardroom while her heart was in the garden and kitchen. She managed to
complete personal chef and advanced master gardener courses before
launching Going Local, which celebrates the abundance of Indiana's local
foods.
Lara Guerra
Windsor, CA
J&M Chocolates
Lara taught herself chocolate making while home after the birth of her
second daughter. With an eye on evolving her hobby, she pitched wine-themed
chocolates to the local Sonoma wineries and also gave birth to a business
creating hand-crafted chocolate bars.
Laura Stachler
Atlanta, GA
Susansnaps
Watching her husband and daughter undergo chemotherapy, Laura wanted to
help. Through her passion for baking, she developed the ultimate
gingersnap, a cookie that aids in soothing upset stomachs. Laura named the
cookies Susansnaps for her sister who lost her battle with cancer and her
daughter who beat the disease. She donates a portion of every sale to
cancer research.
Mary Beth Schad
McKinney, TX
Ellie & Ollie
When a friend mumbled "I'd buy these from you" through a mouthful of
some cookies she had made, Mary got busy turning her passion into profits.
Now Ellie & Ollie offers five varieties of beautifully-packaged cookies for
gifting. Mary hopes some day to license the brand so others can work while
staying at home with their children.
Valorie Barrett
Broken Arrow,
OK
Covenant Cleaning Services
Valorie's dream of creating financial independence for herself, her
daughters, and women who need a helping hand was realized when she started
her business three years ago. Valorie hires women in need who can't provide
for their children, and offer them free childcare and transportation to
improve their quality of life.
Shannon Cumberland
Denver, CO
Rosy Rings
Shannon began making beeswax candles at her kitchen table with
botanicals and spices. Local stores first sold the candles, and now Shannon
sells 300,000+ hand-poured candles annually nationwide. Rosy Rings has
grown from a party of one to a company of 15.
Susan Hager
Frederic, WI
Cookie Brigade
Inspired by a friend who had a brother in the army, Susan melded her
love of baking and dogs to launch the Cookie Brigade to help support the
troops. In just over a year, more than 1,400 dozen cookies and 400 dozen
dog biscuits have been shipped to military personnel.
Lorraine Donlon
Syosset, NY
RESIDENTS for a More Beautiful Syosset
Determined to transform a trash-filled utility strip along a busy local
road into a community flower garden, Lorraine started RESIDENTS for a More
Beautiful Syosset, a non-profit organization of local families. The group
continues to plant and maintain three community gardens.
Linda Z. Smith
Midland, MI
Creative Spirit Center
As one of five from a single-parent, welfare family and the first to
graduate from college, Linda was no stranger to challenges. She co-founded
the non-profit Creative Sprit Center to serve as an arts haven for at-risk
teens and special needs children in foster care, among others.
About Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc.
Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. (NYSE: MSO) is a diversified
media and merchandising company, inspiring and engaging consumers with
unique content and distinctive products. The Publishing segment encompasses
five magazines, including the company's flagship publication, Martha
Stewart Living, periodic special issues and books. The marthastewart.com
website provides consumers with instant access to MSLO's multimedia
library, search and find capabilities, and more. The Broadcasting division
produces the Emmy-winning daily, national syndicated program, "The Martha
Stewart Show" and Martha Stewart Living Radio, channel 112 on SIRIUS
Satellite Radio. In addition to its media properties, MSLO offers
beautiful, practical and superior quality Martha Stewart products through
licensing agreements with carefully selected companies. For additional
information, visit http://www.marthastewart.com.
About Martha Stewart Living
Martha Stewart Living is the flagship magazine of Martha Stewart Living
Omnimedia. As the original lifestyle publication, it provides readers with
the information, ideas, inspiration and confidence they need to enhance
their quality of living. Recognized for its creative content, iconic
photographs, and singular design, Martha Stewart Living has received
numerous awards and honors, including three prestigious National Magazine
Awards. Adweek featured the magazine on its 2007 "Hot List" of Top 10
Magazines. For more information, visit http://www.marthastewart.com.
SOURCE Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc.
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