Living-Deliberately.com

Richest Person in the World Essay Contest:

 

Author and inspirational speaker, Tim Richardson is sponsoring an essay contest for community minded middle and high school students. The purpose of the contest is to help raise awareness of people who believe that true wealth and richness are measured not by what one has, but by what one gives. The contest will provide students with an opportunity to practice research and writing skills while learning about the joys and benefits of serving others.

 

In addition, participants may also have their work published in Tim’s annual list of The Richest People in the World (to be released in mid March). Participants could also appear in Tim’s book, in magazines articles, and other publications.

 

Categories:

 

1. Rich in Giving – People who give freely to organizations to help make their corner of the world a better place to live. These could either be businesses or groups of people who believe in doing good through their volunteer efforts and charitable fund raising.

 

2. Rich in Service – These people are known as a service minded contributors. They are people who roll up their sleeves and give sweat equity to organizations that support worthy causes.

 

3. Rich in Innovation –These nominees would be people who have started foundations, fund raising events or other organizations to respond to a specific community, national or international needs.

 

Entries will be judged on clarity of writing, interest of story, project helpfulness.

 

Participants should be students ages 13-18. Though the essays may appear in any format, an ideal format is included below. In the essays, the writer should make a case for their nominee by listing their contributions and impact on the world. Essays that include quotes from others who volunteer with them or know them are strongly encouraged (see below in Tom Tuohy’s story), Contact information is required for each submission (telephone, email and website if applicable).

 

Essay length 500 – 1000 words

Essays due by March 8, 2007

Note: Stories should have an international focus and not focus on individuals with great wealth who fund philanthropic work.

 

Examples:

• Kathy Eldon who, after her son was murdered in Bosnia, devoted her life to helping those suffering in war-torn countries with her Creative Visions foundation

 

• Barbara Gilbert a single mother of four who raised thousands and thousands of dollars to help impoverished families in Jamaica get a home.

 

• Craig Kielburger, founder of an organization that has built over 500 schools for children all over the world

 

• Annie Wigall, an eighteen year old college freshmen who makes school bags for children that are sent all over the world.

 

• While stories of people in the states doing good here are welcome, contest winners will be awarded prizes only if the story has international appeal (another contest for US stories will be held later in 2007).

 

The top prize winner will receive an MP3 player or $100 Savings Bond and be honored with their families as special guests at our international press release to be held in Atlanta, Georgia in March of 2007 (winner responsible for travel to and from Atlanta).

 

Tom Tuohy, founder of Dreams For Kids www.DreamsforKids.org

Contact info: Tom@Dreamsforkids.org

Phone: 312-333-1234

 

In 1989, Tom Tuohy founded Dreams for Kids, a non profit, charitable organization dedicated to elevating the lives of those who suffer from disability. Dreams for Kids has provided relief ranging from scholarships, mentorship, and social activities and parties for children. In 1996, Dreams for Kids was introduced to the world of physical and mental limitations and has since initiated creative and far reaching recreational activities for children with disabilities. Since its inception, Dreams for Kids has impacted the lives of over 25,000 children and has begun a global expansion to work to end the isolation of all children who suffer from all forms of disability. For the first ten years Tom Tuohy personally paid for all the administrative costs or running Dreams for Kids so 100% of the donations would go right to their cause. Today, ninety five percent of the money collected supports their mission.

 

Tom was mentored by two extraordinary individuals. Father Wally Brennan walked the streets of the forgotten Westside of Chicago for 25 years, in the dark of night, and dispensed hope and assistance to its residents. Dreams for Kids would later initiate the Father Wally Program, in his honor, to reach out to at risk youth.

 

Jesse White, an African American raised in an Italian ghetto, would rise to become of the most respected public servants in Illinois history. In the process, over a span of 48 years, he initiated educational, social and recreational programs. The Jesse White Tumbling Team and Scholars Program have brought over 12,000 young people from hopeless housing projects and helped them become citizens of the world. Working with Jesse White since his teenage years, Tom would adopt his principles and walk side by side with him for over 30 years.

 

Sources of funding: Individuals, corporate support, foundation grants, and a host of fundraising events raising awareness and financial assistance.

 

The Story: On the suggestion of his mother, Tom Tuohy gathered his friends and initiated Dreams for Kids in the fall of 1989. Soon after, Clara Kirk would bring the organization into the desperate world of the homeless. Dreams for Kids would adopt Clara’s House and help Clara to build transitional housing for over 10,000 woman and children and will soon dedicate Clara’s Village, an entire neighborhood of permanent housing for those in need of hope and an opportunity for a secure future.

 

Along the way, Dreams for Kids initiated scholarship funds for children of single parents and hosts the largest Christmas Party of its kind for homeless and disadvantaged children. Each year, on the Saturday before Christmas, over 1,200 excited children and 150 dedicated volunteers come together from all over Illinois and several states to enjoy a day giving, with clowns, face painters, games, and over 3,000 gifts raised by the United States Marines.

 

 

In 1996, a fifteen year old quadriplegic, J.J. O’Connor, now the organizations Vice President, introduced Dreams for Kids to the world of physical and mental disabilities and the organization initiated an expansive recreational and sports program giving thousands of children with physical and mental limitations the social and life changing opportunity to play dozens of sports, such as baseball, basketball, waterskiing, and kayaking.

 

Tom has seen the impact of reaching out has had for those in need and also for those who have given of themselves. “The true path to personal fulfillment and happiness is to be of service to others.” As for accessibility for those with disabilities, Tom says simply, “If some of us are invited, all of us must be invited”

 

Attorney, Shawn Wood, long time friend of Tom Tuohy says, “There are few people in the world who have the heart of Tom Tuohy. He’s one of the most generous people I have ever met. He gives countless hours to the youth of the Chicago area. He’s the closest I e ever come to meeting a Saint.”

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