Fincher Named National Award Semifinalist
Last updated Tuesday, December 11, 2007 8:31 PM CST in Sports
By SPECIAL TO THE MORNING NEWS
IRVINE, Calif. -- In 1995, Rhonda Fincher's 13-year-old son, Kendrick, died following a collapse from heat stroke during an August preseason football practice.
Since then, the Rogers native has dedicated her life to raising awareness about the dangers of dehydration so that no other parent should have to experience the heartache over the preventable death of his or her child. Now, Fincher has been identified as one of the nation's top 40 heroes and is in the running to be named "America's Greatest Hometown Hero" in the 6th Annual Volvo for life Awards, an annual nationwide search for real-life heroes across America.
Beginning today, the American public can visit www.volvoforlifeawards.com and vote for Fincher. This democratic vote will decide the program finalists in Volvo's hero search. Three winning heroes will receive $100,000 for their charities. One extraordinary winner will receive a new Volvo car every three years for life.
In 1996, in the aftermath of their loss, Fincher and her husband founded the Kendrick Fincher Memorial Foundation to raise awareness about the potentially deadly consequences of dehydration for student-athletes and to provide schools with the information and equipment they need to ensure that other students do not suffer heat stroke.
As the foundation's full-time executive director, Fincher oversees a wide range of activities and events, including consultation with school district athletic programs to ensure they have procedures in place to prevent heat illness; hydration and heat illness education at local health fairs; the provision of "Cool huts" -- misting stations with free ice water during community events -- and an annual youth run, at which hydration and heat illness prevention are taught to 450-500 kids each year
As a result of the foundation's efforts, Fincher has successfully changed many school athletics procedures at the local, state, and national level. The foundation, which comprises more than 100 volunteers, has also distributed more than 130,000 squeeze bottles, and accompanying heat illness prevention pamphlets to children and athletes throughout the United States.
"The most rewarding part for me is seeing kids get excited about something as simple as drinking water," said Fincher. "It's great seeing them recognize how important such a simple thing is."
Since 2002, Volvo Cars of North America has identified more than 18,000 everyday heroes in its annual Volvo for life Awards, and has contributed millions of dollars to their causes.
"Once again, Volvo is inviting America itself to serve as one of the Volvo for life Awards judges," said Anne Belec, president and chief executive officer of Volvo Cars of North America. "Last year we had an overwhelming response with more than 700,000 votes tallied. This year's heroes are top notch. It will be tough to narrow the field down and pick winners, but Volvo is confident that America is up to the challenge."
Ten heroes have been selected in the categories of Safety, Quality of Life, Environment and the Butterfly Award, Volvo's youth category. The voting period will determine three finalists in each category. Visit www.volvoforlifeawards.com and learn more about what the top 40 hometown heroes are doing to make the world a better place now and in the future.
To learn more, or to vote for your favorite hero, visit www.volvoforlifeawards.com. A Spanish version of the site can also be accessed at this address.
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