Press Releases
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: André Ledgister, IMAGES USA
November 2, 2007 (404) 892-2931, ext. 224
CINCINNATI…HAIL YOUR NEW PEPSI EVERYDAY FREEDOM HEROES
The Boys & Girls Club of Clermont County, The National Underground Railroad
Freedom Center and Pepsi honor Cincinnati’s 2007 Pepsi Everyday Freedom
Heroes
CINCINNATI – When Connie Naber, a hairdresser from Cincinnati, took an
education vacation to Tanzania in 2005 she never expected to run into her
purpose in life. While in Arusha, Tanzania she befriended a nurse who started St.
Lucia, a hospice for those dying of AIDS. Connie watched as the staff struggled
to provide basic services to its patients. Driven to help, she came back to
Cincinnati to raise funds for St. Lucia. In just two years, she and her organization,
The Karama Connection, have helped purchase land, build a new hospice facility
and teach economic empowerment to the women of Arusha.
Connie’s story is one of five who will be honored by The Boys & Girls Club of
Clermont County, The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and Pepsi
as they induct Charlotte’s 2007 Class of the Pepsi Everyday Freedom Heroes at
The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, 50 East Freedom Way,
Cincinnati, OH 45202 on Friday, October 26, 2007 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
These are Pepsi Everyday Freedom Heroes. They are individuals or groups that
take action to protect or extend freedom. The action is often as simple as
speaking up, working as a catalyst for change or encouraging others to learn,
grow and contribute. They have come from all walks of life and affect any form of
freedom including race, gender, religion, speech, press, educational, social and
economic issues. The individuals are honored whose innovation, involvement and
intervention re-directs fate.
Joining Connie is Gail Burnam, Business Development Manager of New Richmond
National Bank, who for more than 10 years has organized “Ready Fest.” The
annual event makes it possible for any child in the New Richmond School District
to receive school supplies, hair cuts, health needs and other items for a
successful school year – all free.
The Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur will honor their fallen comrade, Sister
Dorothy Stang, who was killed in 2005 while helping landless farmers in Brazil.
Originally from Dayton, Sister Stang, was a Roman Catholic nun who spent more
than 20 years living among the poorest people in Brazil and fighting for their rights
as laborers and landowners.
Dr. O’dell Moreno Owens serves to comfort the grieving as Hamilton County
Coroner, but he also serves as the President for Project GRAD Cincinnati
(Graduation Really Achieves Dreams), a comprehensive national initiative aimed
at improving the success of urban school students to academically achieve,
graduate from high school and enter and complete a college education.
Finally, for the past 12 years, Dr. Connie Wilson has served the mentally ill of
Cincinnati through The Health Resource Center, a free, nurse managed clinic
specializing in mental health and urgent care for the homeless and indigent.
The Pepsi Everyday Freedom Heroes program was split into two parts, a local
level in ten cities and a national “at large” level. Nominations for five local finalists
were held at the local level in Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Dallas,
Detroit, Houston, Miami, New York and San Antonio. Ten national “at large”
finalists were also selected by committee for the national recognition level.
Footage of last year’s national finalists is available at www.freedomcenter.
org/heroes. For more information about the Pepsi Everyday Freedom Heroes
program and the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center please visit
www.freedomcenter.org.
About the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
Situated in Cincinnati, on the banks of the Ohio River, the National Underground
Railroad Freedom Center celebrates the legacy of courage and multicultural
cooperation embodied in the story of the Underground Railroad. Of equal
importance, the Freedom Center uses a wide array of exhibits and programs to
educate the public about the historic and continuing struggle to establish
universal freedom in both the U.S. and around the world. For additional
information, call (513) 333-7500 or visit www.freedomcenter.org.
About the Boys & Girls Club of Clermont County
Since 1996, the Boys & Girls Club of Clermont County has been dedicated to
providing quality youth programs and services that will enhance the lives and
shape the futures of youth of all backgrounds. Working with over 900 children
annually, the Club continues to strive to meet the ever-growing needs of these
young people. Each day, as many as 150 children are taking advantage of the
programs, activities, and services provided by the Club.
November 2, 2007 (404) 892-2931, ext. 224
CINCINNATI…HAIL YOUR NEW PEPSI EVERYDAY FREEDOM HEROES
The Boys & Girls Club of Clermont County, The National Underground Railroad
Freedom Center and Pepsi honor Cincinnati’s 2007 Pepsi Everyday Freedom
Heroes
CINCINNATI – When Connie Naber, a hairdresser from Cincinnati, took an
education vacation to Tanzania in 2005 she never expected to run into her
purpose in life. While in Arusha, Tanzania she befriended a nurse who started St.
Lucia, a hospice for those dying of AIDS. Connie watched as the staff struggled
to provide basic services to its patients. Driven to help, she came back to
Cincinnati to raise funds for St. Lucia. In just two years, she and her organization,
The Karama Connection, have helped purchase land, build a new hospice facility
and teach economic empowerment to the women of Arusha.
Connie’s story is one of five who will be honored by The Boys & Girls Club of
Clermont County, The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and Pepsi
as they induct Charlotte’s 2007 Class of the Pepsi Everyday Freedom Heroes at
The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, 50 East Freedom Way,
Cincinnati, OH 45202 on Friday, October 26, 2007 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
These are Pepsi Everyday Freedom Heroes. They are individuals or groups that
take action to protect or extend freedom. The action is often as simple as
speaking up, working as a catalyst for change or encouraging others to learn,
grow and contribute. They have come from all walks of life and affect any form of
freedom including race, gender, religion, speech, press, educational, social and
economic issues. The individuals are honored whose innovation, involvement and
intervention re-directs fate.
Joining Connie is Gail Burnam, Business Development Manager of New Richmond
National Bank, who for more than 10 years has organized “Ready Fest.” The
annual event makes it possible for any child in the New Richmond School District
to receive school supplies, hair cuts, health needs and other items for a
successful school year – all free.
The Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur will honor their fallen comrade, Sister
Dorothy Stang, who was killed in 2005 while helping landless farmers in Brazil.
Originally from Dayton, Sister Stang, was a Roman Catholic nun who spent more
than 20 years living among the poorest people in Brazil and fighting for their rights
as laborers and landowners.
Dr. O’dell Moreno Owens serves to comfort the grieving as Hamilton County
Coroner, but he also serves as the President for Project GRAD Cincinnati
(Graduation Really Achieves Dreams), a comprehensive national initiative aimed
at improving the success of urban school students to academically achieve,
graduate from high school and enter and complete a college education.
Finally, for the past 12 years, Dr. Connie Wilson has served the mentally ill of
Cincinnati through The Health Resource Center, a free, nurse managed clinic
specializing in mental health and urgent care for the homeless and indigent.
The Pepsi Everyday Freedom Heroes program was split into two parts, a local
level in ten cities and a national “at large” level. Nominations for five local finalists
were held at the local level in Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Dallas,
Detroit, Houston, Miami, New York and San Antonio. Ten national “at large”
finalists were also selected by committee for the national recognition level.
Footage of last year’s national finalists is available at www.freedomcenter.
org/heroes. For more information about the Pepsi Everyday Freedom Heroes
program and the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center please visit
www.freedomcenter.org.
About the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
Situated in Cincinnati, on the banks of the Ohio River, the National Underground
Railroad Freedom Center celebrates the legacy of courage and multicultural
cooperation embodied in the story of the Underground Railroad. Of equal
importance, the Freedom Center uses a wide array of exhibits and programs to
educate the public about the historic and continuing struggle to establish
universal freedom in both the U.S. and around the world. For additional
information, call (513) 333-7500 or visit www.freedomcenter.org.
About the Boys & Girls Club of Clermont County
Since 1996, the Boys & Girls Club of Clermont County has been dedicated to
providing quality youth programs and services that will enhance the lives and
shape the futures of youth of all backgrounds. Working with over 900 children
annually, the Club continues to strive to meet the ever-growing needs of these
young people. Each day, as many as 150 children are taking advantage of the
programs, activities, and services provided by the Club.