Maria Shriver

Lovin' Scoopful Honors Compassionate Youth

By MariaShriver.com

Lovin’ Scoopful, the premium ice cream company founded by Maria Shriver, Tim Shriver and partners to benefit nonprofits that support those with intellectual challenges, is excited to announce its new Lovin’ Compassion Award that recognizes young visionaries who are involved in programs that foster respect, inclusion and a true personal connection for people with differences.

Award recipients will be selected from students age 8 to 15 who are involved with Special Olympics programs such as Unified Sports®, the Spread the Word to End the Word® campaign, Young Athletes, Get Into It® and Project UNIFY®, as well as Best Buddies and other organizations that are designed to create more accepting communities. Through program involvement, recipients must have exemplified characteristics that promote human rights, inclusion, equality and leadership through education.

“The Lovin’ Compassion Award celebrates young people who embody strength in character, leadership and compassion for those with different abilities,” states Lovin’ Scoopful co-founder Maria Shriver. “We are excited to kick-off the Lovin’ Compassion Award and watch it grow as we continue to honor young men and women who foster understanding and respect and set an inspiring example for us all.”

Lovin’ Compassion Award hopefuls can be nominated online at LovinAward.com by parents, peers or a representative from Special Olympics or other qualifying nonprofit organizations that promote human rights, equality and inclusion. Four regional winners from the West Coast, South, New England and Mid-Atlantic regions, as well as one national winner, will be selected from the online nominations.

The four regional winners will each receive the following prizes:

• Lovin’ Scoopful Ice Cream Party Kit
• Certificates for a two month supply of Lovin’ Scoopful ice cream
• Feature on the Lovin’ Scoopful blog, Facebook and Twitter pages
• Letter of commendation from Maria Shriver
• The opportunity to compose a blog posting about their chosen nonprofit
• $250 donation for their chosen nonprofit organization

One national winner will receive the above as well as:

• Engraved plaque
• Year supply of Lovin’ Scoopful ice cream certificates
• $100 gift card
• The opportunity to compose multiple blog postings throughout the year about their chosen nonprofit
• $500 donation for their chosen nonprofit organization

Nominations will be accepted from Wednesday, April 27 through Friday, May 20, 2011. Winners will be selected by a panel of judges including Maria Shriver and Tim Shriver and will be announced on Wednesday, May 25, 2011.

Lovin’ Scoopful was launched in 2008 in an effort to empower the human spirit and satisfy taste buds. The company donates 25 percent of its profits to Special Olympics and other causes, at least $50,000 annually. Lovin’ Scoopfuls’ rich and creamy churned light ice cream has half the fat and a third fewer calories than other premium ice creams. The delicious treat is made with an all-natural base that comes from the milk and cream of cows not treated with the cow growth hormone rBST, promoting a healthier lifestyle while maintaining a super-premium taste.

For more information, please visit www.lovinscoopful.com. Follow Lovin’ Scoopful on Facebook and on Twitter.