State Farm Companies Foundation to Honor Edward A. Donaldson
2008 champion award winner
The National Youth Leadership Council and State Farm Foundation announce the winner of the 2008 State Farm Service-Learning Champion Award.
Edward A. Donaldson is a Florida certified firefighter, recognized in 1986 as the Florida Fire Chief of the Year. He has spent his career helping and educating the citizens of Miami-Dade County including his work with the Miami-Dade Public Schools project I Can Help. Through this program, students partner with firefighters, other first responders, and senior citizen groups to design and implement plans to address the needs of elderly citizens regarding fire safety, accident prevention, and hurricane preparedness and recovery.
Donaldson was nominated for the 2008 State Farm Service-Learning Champion Award by Dr. Ramona Frischman, from Miami-Dade County Public Schools, who wrote, "This man is in a class by himself as he continues to...inspire youths to develop a sense of civic engagement that will impact their lives and those whom they serve." He receives the award because he exemplifies the spirit of service-learning by helping children become lifelong learners who apply this knowledge for the benefit of their communities.
State Farm® supports service-learning as a teaching method that enhances the academic achievement of students while engaging in service to the community. This award recognizes a non-traditional advocate of service learning by acknowledging the valuable role played by a business or community leader who has partnered with youth to advance the cause of service-learning.
