Bob Carter Presents Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy Awards at AFP's 50th International Conference

    SARASOTA, FL, May 01, 2013 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Bob Carter presented the 2013 Bob Carter Companies/William R. Simms Awards for Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy to Marli Overgard and to Olivia and Carter Ries at the Association of Fundraising Professional's 50th International Conference in San Diego, California (www.afpnet.org).

The awards, named in honor of AFP co-founder William R. Simms and sponsored by Bob Carter Companies LLC (www.bobcarterco.com), recognize outstanding service and commitment to the community through direct financial support, development of charitable programs, volunteering and leadership in philanthropy.

Carter and Olivia Ries, brother and sister from Fayetteville, Georgia, received the Group award for their commitment to conservation and endangered species efforts. They founded One More Generation, a nonprofit organization to help save endangered species. After the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, they spent four months gathering supplies and a week working with environmental groups along the coast. Having learned about the dangers of plastic pollution, they developed a weeklong Plastics and Recycling Awareness Curriculum that has been used in many schools. One More Generation's goal is to have the curriculum used in every U.S. school. It has signed a partnership with the largest producer and recycler of aluminum, Novelis, to add information about recycling aluminum to the curriculum. Carter and Olivia also formed the Plastic Awareness Coalition, which has been joined by over 70 groups, ranging from local to international.

The young Rieses were featured on a "Harvey's Heroes" segment of the Steve Harvey Show; the show arranged for South African Airlines to provide them with tickets to return to South Africa where they plan to meet with South African President Jacob Juma to discuss ways the government can help protect rhinos. On a previous trip to South Africa to coordinate with conservation and environmental organizations, they "adopted" several cheetahs. They are now working with the U.S. State Department and the Wildlife Trafficking Department to develop an educational program for children.

"To think that Carter and Olivia have already touched so many lives - have already made such an impact in the world - at such young ages is staggering," said Bob Carter, CFRE, president and CEO of Bob Carter Companies. "I've been involved in fundraising for decades, and theirs is one of the most unique and inspiring stories I've ever heard."

Marli Overgard, at the age of 14, and her best friend, Molly Young, initiated an effort to purchase bears and blankets that are donated to hospitals for children who need comfort. Marli was inspired by her family's experience in a hospital after her young cousin, Hunter, was hospitalized following an ATV accident. Their initial goal was to raise $500 to purchase 25 bears and blankets. After raising over $2,000, which funded 100 bears and blankets, the girls and Hunter's parents, Teresa and Kyle Biermeier, co-founded a Hugs from Hunter Foundation, which has received another $3,000, a corporate sponsorship and annual pledges of $6,000 to continue its work. Marli serves as a board member, fundraiser, event planner and grant writer for the Foundation. Her 5-year goal is to serve all 180 Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.

"What she has accomplished, in memory of her cousin, is truly remarkable," said Bob Carter. "It reminds us that philanthropy can connect us all together in ways we might never have dreamed of." Marli was presented with the Individual award for Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy.

These young award winners "remind us that age is no barrier to philanthropy, and that anyone - if they have the commitment and inspiration - can make a difference in their community and the world," said Andrew Watt, FInstF, president and CEO of AFP.

Bob Carter Companies LLC (www.BobCarterCo.com) is an innovative philanthropic and fundraising consulting service with corporate headquarters in Sarasota, Florida, and a regional office in Mexico City. BCCo uses a dynamic team approach, assembling highly experienced and successful fundraising professionals to help clients develop and reach their unique fundraising goals. To contact BCCo, email [email protected] or call 941.388.3414.

The Association of Fundraising Professionals (www.AFPnet.org) has helped nonprofits and charities raise over $1 trillion to support their efforts. AFP, with nearly 30,000 members, is the world's largest network of fundraising professionals.

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