Amazing Kids! , a children’s educational non-profit organization based in Seattle announced today that its founder and president, Alyse Rome has been selected as a finalist in the PEOPLE Magazine /MLB “All-Stars Among Us” competition. Alyse was selected from a pool of thousands of individuals who devote countless hours volunteering for remarkable programs within their communities and beyond. PEOPLE and MLB have selected three individuals from each of the 32 MLB host cities to be finalists in the voting competition. If she receives the most votes for the Mariners, Alyse will represent the Mariners at the 2010 MLB All-Star Game on July 13 in Anaheim, California. Alyse is being recognized for her exceptional accomplishments and 12 years of dedication as a volunteer, helping kids realize their amazing potential and launch their dreams through the Amazing Kids!’ website, amazing-kids.org and the Launch My Dream! initiative. Voting continues until June 20, 2010 at (http://peopleallstars.com). Supporters can vote for Alyse under the “Mariners” button and may vote as often as they wish.

About Amazing Kids!

Amazing Kids! (http://amazing-kids.org) is a children’s educational nonprofit organization dedicated to helping kids launch their dreams. Amazing Kids! actively supports kids’ dreams for their future by providing them with resources and opportunities to assist them in realizing their own innate amazing potential, something which Amazing Kids! believes that all children have. Amazing Kids! founder Alyse Rome dreams of a world in which all children’s amazing gifts are supported, and their dreams realized, with the help of caring adult mentors in their communities.

Easter Seals UCP North Carolina and Virginia, a nonprofit serving children and adults with disabilities and mental health challenges, recognized all the Shop & Care corporate partners that helped raise $2.6 million for the nonprofit during a campaign celebration on June 8th. Business leaders from Food Lion Family of Banners, including Food Lion, Bloom, Reid’s and Bottom Dollar Food, and campaign participating food manufacturers attended the event held at Food Lion’s corporate headquarters in Salisbury, North Carolina.

Shop & Care is a 19-year partnership between Easter Seals UCP, Food Lion Family of Banners, Bottom Dollar Food and participating national food manufacturers to raise money for children and adults with disabilities. Since 1991, Food Lion has raised more than $25 million to support these critical programs and services provided by Easter Seals affiliates in 11 Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic states.

During the month-long campaign, over 200 specially marked food products were highlighted in Food Lion stores and advertisements promoting the Shop & Care campaign. Customers were encouraged to make a $1 donation during check out – contributing more than $1.2 million to the campaign’s total. In addition, several manufacturers initiated in-store product promotions in support of Easter Seals with special coupon booklets and packaging designs.

“The culmination of these giving efforts to support this campaign was extremely generous,” said Connie Cochran, president and CEO of Easter Seals UCP North Carolina and Virginia. “We are so thankful for our continued partnership with Food Lion. The customers and corporate support allowed this campaign to be a success and the money raised will have a tremendously positive impact on those with disabilities and mental health challenges served by Easter Seals.”

About Easter Seals UCP North Carolina and Virginia
Easter Seals UCP (United Cerebral Palsy) North Carolina and Virginia is a lifelong partner to families managing disabilities and mental health challenges. The nonprofit serves more than 17,000 individuals and their families annually through an array of services. Easter Seals UCP enhances the quality of life for individuals and maximizes their potential for engaging in their communities. For more information on Easter Seals UCP North Carolina and Virginia, please visit http://www.eastersealsucp.com.

The mark of a concerned community is found in the level of support its institutions provide for local charitable initiatives. Raleigh is a concerned community.

Local nonprofit Assistance League of Raleigh has been the recipient of countless support initiatives from nearby businesses since its inception. This month, they have been chosen by the Raleigh Whole Foods Market for representation in their Community Spotlight. The Whole Foods Community Spotlight is a giving program supporting organizations that address community issues such as hunger, poverty, organic and sustainable agriculture, environmental concerns, and health and human services, among others.

As the chosen nonprofit of the month, Assistance League of Raleigh will receive all donations made at Raleigh Whole Foods cash registers. Whole Foods will also provide Assistance League of Raleigh maximum exposure throughout their store, displaying visual material and informational pamphlets. They will endeavor to educate customers and team members about the philanthropic efforts of Assistance League of Raleigh, teaching them what they can do to contribute their time and resources for the good of the community.

About Assistance League of Raleigh:
Assistance League of Raleigh is one of more than 120 chapters of Assistance League , a national nonprofit that puts caring and commitment into action through community-based philanthropic projects. The Raleigh chapter partners with Broadway Series South for their annual fundraiser, Festival of Trees of Raleigh. Proceeds support the chapter’s outreach programs, H.O.P.E. for Children, Operation School Bell , and Silver Slippers. To get involved or learn more about Assistance League of Raleigh, call 919-623-7734 or visit http://www.raleigh.assistanceleague.org.