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When I founded Project Books and Blankies, the farthest thing from
my mind was receiving awards or public recognition for my work. My
goal was simply to share the magic of reading with others. Along
the way, I have been fortunate to receive many honors for my
literacy efforts. My hope is that these acknowledgments will serve
as motivation to other young people. I am grateful to the media
and to the organizations that recognize the efforts of individuals
working to make a difference in their communities.
- Robyn
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• Robyn was named a 2005
Local Hero by the Bank of America for her literacy work in the
Greater Los Angeles area. In connection with this award, she was
honored at an awards ceremony where a $5,000 check was presented
for her continuing work with
Project Books and Blankies.
Robyn will also be working with a Bank of America executive who
will provide mentoring over the next year.
•
Robyn’s strong academic record and efforts in the community were
recognized by Target as a 2005 recipient of the All
Around Scholarship. Telesis Community Credit Union also
honored her with their 2005 Scholarship Award. Robyn was
presented with the 2005 AXA Community Achievement Award at
Dodger Stadium in May of 2005. She was also recognized as a
2005 winner in the Kohl’s Kids Who Care Program and as a
recipient of the Bill Coggins Community Service Leadership
Award.
•
Named as recipient of the 2004 National Caring Award, Robyn
traveled to Washington, D.C. in November to participate in a
series of events, including induction into the Hall of Fame for
Caring Americans in the Frederick Douglass Museum. Selected from
thousands of nominees, Caring Magazine included a profile
of Robyn's work in the December 2004 issue.
•
In August 2004, the Los Angeles Daily News named Robyn as
the Difference Maker of the Year, highlighting her
accomplishments in the community and her commitment to her varsity
basketball and softball teams.
• Recognized as the Nation’s Volunteer of the Day on February 11,
2004, Robyn’s efforts in the community are highlighted on the
Points of Light Foundation’s website.
•
Time Magazine featured Robyn and her work with Project
Books and Blankies as the cover story in Time for Kids
(December 2004/January 2005 issue). Posters and supplemental
educator material highlighting her literacy project were also
distributed nationally.
• TEEN Magazine featured Robyn in the 2004 Back to
School issue in an article highlighting ten teens making a
difference across the nation.
•
Robyn was selected in the 2000 Prudential Spirit of Community
Awards as California’s top middle school volunteer. In addition to
receiving a silver medallion, she participated in four days of
national recognition events in Washington, D.C. Over 20,000
applications were considered for these prestigious awards. After a
private meeting with Robyn, Congressman Buck McKeon introduced a
statement into the Congressional Record recognizing her volunteer
efforts and accomplishments.
• Robyn has been selected by Nestle as one of 34 students in the
nation who represent the Very Best in Youth 2001. Selected for her
academic achievement and community involvement, she participated
in national recognition events sponsored by Nestle and Reading is
Fundamental. Robyn is also featured in a book highlighting the
achievements of this select group of America’s youth. In
connection with this award, Robyn was a guest on KRTH FM Radio
where the director of public affairs, Vivian Porter, interviewed
her on Review.
• Robyn has been named by the Los Angeles Times as a recipient of
their 2001 Community Partnership Award for her work to promote
literacy.
• She is also the recipient of the 2001 National Philanthropy Day
Outstanding Youth Volunteer Award. In connection with this honor,
Robyn was interviewed on the KABC Television News.
• Based upon the work of Project Books and Blankies, Robyn has
been named a National Youth Leader in Literacy by the National
Education Association. In addition to the grant awarded by the NEA,
she has also received grants from the Los Angeles LARP Literacy
Council and Scholastic books. Robyn has also received grants from
Youth Service America in 2002, 2003, and 2004.
• Named Citizen of the Week by KNX 1070 Newsradio in
June of 2003,
Robyn was interviewed by anchor Jack Salvatore about her work in
the community.
• Robyn was recognized by
the Barron Foundation and named to the Heroes Honor Roll
in 2003 and 2004.
• Robyn is also the recipient of the President’s School Service
Award in recognition of her service to the community.
• Selected as a member of the National Youth Advisory Council,
Robyn has worked with other national youth leaders to plan and
implement and promote the Youth Voice Initiative to increase the
role of young people in decision-making and community leadership.
• Robyn was recognized by the Optimist Club which honored her with
their Youth Appreciation Award. For her efforts to promote
literacy, she has also received commendations from President Bush,
the Governor, the Mayor, the County Supervisors, and the
Department of Education.
• Named a Fox Kids Hero by the Fox Kids Network, a commercial
featuring Robyn and Project Books and Blankies has aired
nationally. She was also featured in the Fall 2000 edition of the
Fox Kids Magazine.
• KABC television has interviewed Robyn for the KABC Salutes
segment on their Friday night news. Her literacy project was also
featured as part of KABC’s Cool Kids recognition program.
• The Northridge Chamber of Commerce honored Robyn with their 2000
Lifesaver Award for her work to benefit others in the community.
• As the recipient of the 2001 Marian Huhn Memorial Award for
scholarship and service, Robyn has been recognized by the
California Junior Scholarship Federation.
• Robyn was invited to display several of her quilts at the Road
to California quilt show in Ontario, California in January 2000.
The largest quilt show in the state, this special exhibit of her
quilts was designed to provide an example of how quilting can be
used to reach those in need in the community. Her quilts were also
displayed at the 2001 Quilting in the Valley Show sponsored by the
San Fernando Valley Quilt Guild. At that time, producers from HGTV’s Simply Quilts filmed a segment
on Project Books and
Blankies that aired in 2002.
• In the fall of 2002, an original quilt designed by Robyn placed
first in the Quiltmaker’s Gift Challenge, a national competition
sponsored by Benartex and Scholastic. Her quilt was displayed at
the 2002 International Quilt Festival. Additionally, an article
featuring her award winning design appeared in the magazine
Through the Needle.
• The 2004 Road to California Quilt Show featured another original
quilt design by Robyn as a local and state winner in a Young
Quilter’s Contest.
• Robyn’s project has been written up in the Los Angeles Times,
the Daily News, the Simi Valley Star, USA Today,
and various other local and
national publications. Teen Magazine – All About You has featured
Project Books and Blankies and Quilter’s Newsletter Magazine
included an article about Robyn’s project in the December 2000
issue. Most recently, the Los Angeles Times ran a 5-part profile
about Robyn in the Kid’s Reading Room section (May 2003).
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