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Minnesota MILE Announces the Third Annual Xtra MILE Awards Recipients |
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Overdrive Alumni Award to Tony Smith ; Hometown: La Crosse, Wisconsin |
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Self-Starter Award to Bridget Alldritt ;
In 1998, when I was just nine, after suffering for months, I was diagnosed with severe ulcerative colitis. I have endured more than thirty hospitalizations, dietary restrictions, unpleasant IV medication effects and months of homebound school. In 2001, I underwent a total colon removal and had an ileostomy bag and permanent IV for months. Several complications caused two more surgeries and suffering. From the very start of my illness, I have remained positive and have never felt sorry for myself. I joined the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) and have spoken at pediatric conferences, started a pediatric support group, gave speeches at fundraisers like the CCFA Golf Event and Evening of Hope Gala. I coordinated the CCFA Bowl-a-thon for the past seven years and I have personally raised more that $50,000 for research and support. Along with serving as a Youth Ambassador for CCFA, together with my mom, we founded Camp Oasis. This is a summer camp for children and teens with Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. This is my 7th year on the camp planning committee; it will be my first year as a counselor. We will host 60 kids from the 5 state area for 6 days of fun and friendship. I enjoy taking the time to make hospital visits and talk to kids to help them with their feelings and offer advice on living with these diseases. Although I will be attending the College of St. Scholastica in the fall, I will remain dedicated to giving time and energy to finding a cure for Crohn's and Colitis and helping other kids who are suffering as I have. |
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Catalytic Contributor Award to Gloria Lewis ; Gloria C. Lewis leads the strategic direction of one of the largest Big Brothers Big Sisters affiliates in the nation. She ensures annual goals are achieved, acts as board liaison and guarantees the local mission to enrich young people's lives through one-to-one relationships is realized. Lewis joined Bog Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Twin Cities (BBBS) in 2005, bringing more than 25 years experience in public and non-profit administration. Throughout her career, she has delivered measurable results, engineered meaningful change and identified innovative funding sources. Prior to assuming leadership at BBBS, Lewis served as the director of the Minnesota Department of Health's Office of Minority and Multicultural Health where she developed and maintained the largest legislative-funded health disparities initiative in the nation. Previously, she served the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services by introducing and asset-based approach to child welfare. While working for the Chicago Department of Public Health, Lewis created the first violence prevention plan developed by a major urban city. As a director in the Philadelphia School District, Lewis developed and maintained a drug and alcohol prevention system for grades K-12. Lewis is committed to the development, education and health of young people. She is currently a member of Augsburg College's board of regents, the board of directors of the Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches and the Charities Review Council, and a member of the Minnesota Women's Economic Roundtable. Lewis holds a Master degree from Boston University and a Bachelor's degree in psychology from Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia. She lives in Minneapolis with her husband, the Rev. Craig J. Lewis. |
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Supercharged Influencer Award to Mary Jo Copeland; Hometown: Rochester, MN
Honors & Awards:
Featured in the Following:
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Differential Injector Award to Allianz Insurance; Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America (Allianz Life®) advocates education to help people, particularly the disadvantaged population, become financially independent by supporting programs that help improve their academic, business, financial, technological, and life skills. In 2006 over $2.1 million was distributed to organizations that embody or advance Allianz's key focus areas which include: Employment readiness and financial literacy; Arts and Community Involvement and Youth and Family Development. |
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Community Ignition Award to Minnesota Teen Challenge; Minnesota Teen Challenge is one of the largest faith-based residential drug & alcohol programs in the state and in the U.S. We are accredited by Teen Challenge USA and use their model for our program. Teen Challenge began in 1958 in New York City, and now has more than 350 centers around the world in 72 countries. The mission of Teen Challenge is to free our residents permanently by breaking the chains of chemical addiction once and for all. While in the program, residents participate in a wide spectrum of activities carefully designed to facilitate their recovery. These include individualized counseling, four levels of classroom teaching, on-site work study and participation in the Teen Challenge Choir. The need for Teen Challenge continues to rise as the meth epidemic fuels steady growth of our program. Our Admissions Department receives an average of 40 calls per day from people asking for information. In the past year we have grown to a record enrollment of 400 students. To keep pace with the need, we recently have opened two new facilities: Grace Manor, a women’s board and care facility in Northeast Minneapolis, and a much-needed Men’s Campus in Duluth. These are welcome new additions to our other 3 campus buildings near downtown Minneapolis. |
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