CHICAGO, Nov. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- National City (NYSE: NCC)
announced today that it has selected Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)
of Cook County in Chicago, Ill., as winner of the fifth-annual National City
Children's Champion Award. This prestigious statewide recognition, which comes
with a $10,000 contribution from National City, was presented to the charity
by Joseph A. Gregoire, president of National City -- Illinois Banking, during
the Annual Kids Count Awards Dinner on Nov. 6 at the Four Seasons in Chicago.
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The National City Children's Champion Award honors organizations that
contribute in an exemplary way to children being healthy, happy, safe, loved
and well-educated. It is granted in partnership with Voices for Illinois
Children, an organization that champions the full development and well-being
of every child in the state.
More than 385 award nominations were submitted at National City branches
throughout Illinois. CASA of Cook County was chosen from among 16 finalist
organizations.
"There are hundreds of organizations within our communities that provide
the children of Illinois with safe homes and healthy lives," said Gregoire.
"National City is pleased to partner with Voices for Illinois Children again
this year to honor this good work."
"CASA of Cook County ensures that well-trained and educated advocates are
fighting to diminish the challenges faced by children in foster care. Each and
every year, the organization touches the lives of 640 children," said Jerry
Stermer, president of Voices for Illinois Children. "We honor the
organization's dedication to protecting children and recognize its progress to
expand valuable initiatives that truly help children. Those children helped by
CASA of Cook County now have the chance to live successful and healthy lives."
CASA of Cook County represents abused and neglected children in court,
ensuring they live in safe, permanent homes. The organization's trained
volunteers investigate cases and provide valuable information to the courts
through written and oral testimony. Judges rely on this insight to make the
best decisions about a child's future. Within the Child Advocacy program, CASA
of Cook County also operates the Medically At Risk Kids (MARK) initiative,
which advocates for medically fragile children involved with the Child
Protection Division of Juvenile Court. The program ensures that children
receive appropriate medical care, minimizing the potential for re-abuse.
"We serve as the voice for our children, helping their needs to be heard,"
said Vanessa Reese, director of development for CASA of Cook County. "This
award will help us find and train advocates so we can better support and
protect the children of Cook County."
In addition to its $10,000 contribution to the statewide winner, National
City also donated $1,000 to each of 16 finalist organizations, which include:
1. Beacon Therapeutic Diagnostic and Treatment Center, Chicago
2. Camp Care-A-Lot, Springfield
3. Camp Quality Illinois, Lansing
4. Court Appointed Special Advocates of Cook County, Chicago
5. Crisis Nursery, Urbana
6. Franklin Neighborhood Community Association, Belleville
7. GiGi's Playhouse, Inc. -- McHenry Office, McHenry
8. Illinois Gold Track Club, Kankakee
9. Junior Achievement of East Central Illinois, Decatur
10. Make Your Mark Foundation, Shorewood
11. marcfirst, Normal
12. Palatine Opportunity Center, Palatine
13. Santa's Gift, Inc., Naperville
14. Tazewell County Resource Centers, Inc., Tremont
15. The Boys & Girls Club of Lake County, Waukegan
16. The Park PLAYers -- A Program of Rockford Area Lutheran Ministries,
Rockford
About National City
National City Corporation (NYSE: NCC), headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio,
is one of the nation's largest financial holding companies. The company
operates through an extensive banking network primarily in Ohio, Illinois,
Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, and also
serves customers in selected markets nationally. Its core businesses include
commercial and retail banking, mortgage financing and servicing, consumer
finance and asset management. For more information about National City, visit
the company's Web site at NationalCity.com .
About Voices for Illinois Children
Voices for Illinois Children builds better lives in our state by working
across all issue areas to improve the lives of children of all ages so they
grow up healthy, happy, safe, loved and well educated. The Voices network
weaves through the state, involving community leaders and people who care
passionately about children. Since 1987, Voices has worked to make sure
policymakers understand the issues facing children and families.
About the Children's Champion Award
National City's Children's Champion award honors charitable organizations
throughout Illinois for their excellence in programs and services for
children. Nominations were submitted through www.nationalcity.com and at all
Illinois branch locations. The award is presented annually in partnership
with Voices for Illinois Children.
SOURCE National City Corporation