Shriver Center Honors Those Who Care

PRESS RELEASE   
For Immediate Release, December 4, 2007                    

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Joanna VanderWoude, Media Relations Associate
219.644.8216, jvanderwoude@povertylaw.org}
       

Shriver Center Honors Those Who Care

Dinner Raises Over $350,000

Chicago- (December 3, 2007)- The Sargent Shriver National Center On Poverty Law is proud to announce its fundraising volunteers raised over $350,000 at the Shriver Center’s 2007 Annual Awards Dinner event on November 29 with a goal to raise $400,00 by the end of the year.  The theme of the evening was “Who Cares?”  Proceeds from the event support the Shriver Center’s mission to take action to end poverty through policy development, communications, and diverse advocacy strategies. 

The Sargent Shriver Award for Equal Justice honors individuals who have contributed greatly to the cause of justice for people in poverty.  This year’s honoree and keynote speaker was Senator George McGovern.   As a special assistant to President Kennedy, he led the creation of the UN World Food Program.  He was the U.S. Ambassador to the UN agencies in Rome in both the Clinton and Bush administrations, working towards his goal of ending hunger.  Currently, he is spearheading a drive with Bob Dole to provide every child in the world a nutritious hot meal every day, winning a large US financial commitment for that purpose.

“I just want to say that I’m very proud of this organization here in Chicago,” McGovern said, after receiving his award.  “I know that it was close to Sarge’s heart. He can see the network of law firms tied together clearing their ideas and their work at a central clearinghouse like this, which we call the Shriver Center today.”

More than 600 attendees joined the Shriver Center to honor McGovern.  This year marked the 40th anniversary of the Shriver Center.  Now in its ninth year, this event has previously recognized individuals such as Professor Jeffrey D. Sachs, Columbia University, and Harry Belafonte, musician, actor and social activist.

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The Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law, a national resource, champions law and policy promoting equal opportunity and support for low-income individuals, families, and communities so that they can escape poverty permanently.