All Star Helping Kids Announces World Class Field of Star Athletes Nominated For Jefferson Award For Public Service

Steve Nash (NBA), Venus Williams (WTA), Ray Lewis (NFL), Kerri Walsh (AVP), And More Compete for Prestigious Community Service Award

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (October 12, 2009) – Ronnie Lott, NFL Hall of Famer and founder of All Stars Helping Kids, is pleased to announce a landmark partnership with the Jefferson Awards for Public Service to recognize top athletes who have given back to their community. Past recipients of Jefferson Awards for Public Service include, Oprah Winfrey, Colin Powell, Lance Armstrong and Bill and Melinda Gates.

Over the last few months, teams and leagues from across the sports world nominated 53 athletes who have a proven track record of community outreach as well as those that are just getting started, but possess a sincere passion for service. Thanks to AT&T, fans can vote for their favorite nominee by text message or online by going to allstarshelpingkids.org/teammates.html. Voting ends November 15th. The nominees include soccer star Mia Hamm, the New Jersey Nets’ Devin Harris, the Baltimore Ravens Ray Lewis, the Phoenix Suns Steve Nash, Olympian and AVP star Kerri Walsh, and tennis star Venus Williams amongst others. The full list of nominees appears below.

“One thing these nominees have in common is a passion for looking beyond their sport. They’re stretching themselves- driven to succeed in their community as well as in competition,” Lott said. “I encourage people to read about these men and women and follow their examples.”

From this group, five (5) finalists will be chosen in each of two (2) categories: Outstanding Athlete in Service and Outstanding Athlete as a Newcomer in Service. One athlete in each category will be awarded a national Jefferson Award for Public Service.

On December 8, 2009, ten (10) athletes will win spots on the "Dream Team for Public Service" at the All Stars Helping Kids' Sports, Business & Philanthropy Luncheon. In June 2010, the ten (10) "Dream Team" members will be invited to attend the Jefferson Awards National Ceremony in Washington, D.C., where two (2) winners will receive the prestigious Jefferson Awards for Public Service in the categories of Outstanding Athlete in Service and Outstanding Athlete as a Newcomer in Service. Additionally, the nominee with the most online and text votes will be the winner of the AT&T Fan Favorite Award.

Jefferson Award for Outstanding Service by an Athlete
Nominees (To vote for a nominee, text STAR code to the right to 55333. Standard text messaging rates apply.)

About All Stars Helping Kids
Since 1989, All Stars Helping Kids has been a galvanizing force and vehicle for individuals and corporate partners to invest in the future of children in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. All Stars Helping Kids’ mission is to promote a safe, healthy, rigorous learning environment for disadvantaged children in low-income communities.

About the Jefferson Awards for Public Service
The Jefferson Awards for Public Service is a prestigious national recognition system honoring community and public service in America. The Jefferson Awards were established in 1972 by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, U.S. Senator Robert Taft, Jr. and Sam Beard to establish a Nobel Prize for public service. Today, their primary purpose is to serve as a "Call to Action for Volunteers" in local communities.