Congratulations to Christina Bear, 2015 Gold Award recipient from Golden! On August 28, 2015, she was named Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy by the Association of Fundraising Professionals. The award comes with a $2,500 prize to be used for education expenses. It is presented to an individual youth volunteer (18 and under) who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to the promotion of philanthropy and volunteerism through his/her work in the community. This commitment and impact is demonstrated specifically through sustained activity over a period of time. The individual acts as a role model for other youth in the community and generates interest in volunteerism in other groups.
In April 2015, Christina was awarded the inaugural Stephanie A. Foote Leadership Prize for Gold Award Excellence. Christina earned her Gold Award for organizing a week-long summer program for Latino students at the Horizons Summer Program at Colorado Academy. Through informal learning in computer and robot programming and mini-science experiments, students were engaged and excited about technology.
Christina was not only recognized for her project to earn her Gold Award, but also for a project she completed with her younger brother, Eric, in 2010. Their Radon Awareness Project (RAP) was locally- and nationally-recognized as a program to educate the community on the dangers of radon. With input and support from the Colorado Dept. of Public Health and Environment, EPA, American Lung Association, Jefferson County Health Department, Habitat for Humanity, Girl Scouts, 4-H, and CanSAR (Cancer Survivors against Radon), Christina and Eric created a targeted campaign to educate the community about radon and testing. Since inception, RAP has reached over 500,000 people via newspapers, TV, social media and rallies and more than 500 schools are contacted annually to participate in a Colorado radon poster contest. In 2012, Christina and Eric were invited to speak at the White House Summit on Environmental Education and at the Children’s Environmental Health Network (CEHN) where they discussed how youth can collaborate with public health officials to make a difference in environmental health, In addition, RAP has championed a Radon Resistant New Construction building code that has been adopted by 20 Colorado cities and contributed to writing HB 12-1165 which would require radon testing whenever a home is sold.
“Christina exemplifies courage, confidence and character. Her continued pursuit of excellence in all aspects of her life inspires her peers and community members to listen and follow, taking action to make their world a better place,” wrote Girl Scouts of Colorado CEO Stephanie A. Foote, who nominated Christina for this prestigious award.
Christina will officially accept her award at the annual National Philanthropy Day Luncheon on November 13, 2015 at Seawell Grand Ballroom, Denver Center for the Performing Arts.