Williams named Public Service Award winner

MIAMI: Lauryn Williams, the 2005 women’s world 100m champion and 2004 Olympic silver medalist, has been named one of ten winners of the 2009 Jefferson Awards for Public Service, which recognizes the top athletes that have given back to their community.

Organizations from across the sports world nominated 53 athletes from 10 sports, with each athlete having a track record of community outreach as well as a sincere passion for service. Fan voting was conducted online or via text message, with over 25,000 votes logged during the process.

The 2006 USA Track & Field Visa Humanitarian of the Year for her contributions to victims of Hurricane Katrina, through Williams’ generosity, 20 families received much-needed funding to get back on their feet.

Williams is also involved with Fun 4 Kidz, a program that helps underserved children in South Florida participate in after school classes, activities and leagues. As part of her involvement with Fun 4 Kidz, Lauryn launched the Lauryn Williams Mentoring Program, which pairs 25 kids with 25 student-athletes from the University of Miami football and track teams. She is currently learning sign language through her work with deaf children in Arcola Middle School.

Williams, who lives and trains in Miami, Fla., has been heavily involved with USA Track & Field’s Win With Integrity program for many years, has been an Athlete Ambassador with Right to Play, an international humanitarian organization that uses sport and play to improve health, develop life skills and foster peace for children and communities in some of the most disadvantaged areas of the world. Williams traveled to Sierra Leone to see the impact of the programs and share her positive attitude and love of sport with a group of children affected by war, poverty and disease.

Williams became inspired to help those in need when she received assistance from others in covering travel and equipment expenses during her track and field career. People who saw potential in her came to her aid, and that’s when she realized how important it is to reach out to others.

Winners of the 2010 Jefferson Awards For Public Service Include:
Nnamdi Asomugha: Defensive back, Oakland Raiders, NFL
Curtis Granderson: All-star outfielder, Detroit Tigers, MLB
Stuart Holden: Forward, Houston Dynamo, MLS
Dwight Howard: All-star forward, Dallas Mavericks, NBA
Dirk Nowitzki: All-star forward, Dallas Mavericks, NBA
Tyrus Thomas: Forward, Chicago Bulls, NBA
Justin Tuck: All-Pro defensive end, New York Giants, NBA
Venus Williams: Olympian and Grand Slam Champion
Ryan Zimmerman: All-Star third baseman, Washington Nationals



(trackalerts.com)