Johnson & Johnson, the Official Healthcare Sponsor of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™, has announced the six finalists for the US Champions of Care program, which was created to shine a spotlight on people who go above and beyond to do extraordinary things in caring for others.
The Champions of Care program invited individuals across the country to celebrate the most caring people in their lives and share their inspirational stories. From these stories, six finalists were selected and are profiled at www.careinspirescare.com.
Between now and May 25, you can help select the grand prize winner who will attend the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ final match in Rio de Janeiro on July 13.
Between now and May 25, you can help select the grand prize winner who will attend the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ final match in Rio de Janeiro on July 13.
Read below to learn a little more about each of the six incredible finalists and then click here to celebrate these Champions by voting for your favorite story [once per day].
Maria Jaramillo
A teacher for 11 years in the underprivileged Hispanic community where she grew up, Maria Jaramillo did not simply want to teach. She wanted to create real change by helping her students overcome their insecurities and develop the confidence, skillset and ambition needed to continue their studies in college. With Maria’s guidance and dedication to show them their potential, hundreds of students have excelled under difficult circumstances and have gone to earn college degree and follow their career dreams.
Dr. Elissa Brown
A clinical psychologist, Dr. Elissa Brown works tirelessly on the prevention and treatment of childhood trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). After seeing the need for free access to therapy in her community, in 2011 she established the Child HELP Partnership, a program that provides free therapy services to underserved children in the New York City area dealing with trauma or grief.
Erik Tobiason
Erik Tobiason, inspired by his mother, his wife, Laurel, and the local Vermont community, combines his professional skills as a contractor and dedication to caring for others to build homes and schools for those worst affected by natural disasters. Erik not only rallies his own community to help him when he rebuilds the homes of those in need, he also encourages volunteerism amongst high school students. He has taken over 200 young people with him on his projects, as he believes their work at a young age will be the force that helps in future disasters.
Corinne Cannon
After giving birth to her first child, Corinne Cannon experienced firsthand both the sheer joy and the emotional challenges of having a child. Following a challenging night with her sleepless four-month old, Corinne learned that there is a connection between not having enough diapers for a baby and maternal depression. Diapers are necessary but also expensive, and Corinne noticed an acute need for a local diaper bank in her community. This motivated her to help struggling families by establishing the DC Diaper Bank in 2009. Since then, Corinne has grown the DC Diaper Bank from distributing diapers out of her basement to operating in a large warehouse. With her husband and two children, and countless other local families who volunteer, more than 600 hours have been dedicated to raising funds and distributing over 900,000 diapers to families in need.
Amalia Gonzalez
At 24 years old, Amalia Gonzalez has dedicated her life to caring for her sister with cerebral palsy and others in her community. This commitment not only involves being a full-time caregiver, but also volunteering to help those in need to make her sister proud. While attending college and now, as she pursues her professional career, Amalia has remained committed to her sister’s care, and also devotes countless hours to make a lasting impact in her community.
Marty White
A teacher for 25 years, Marty White is dedicated to instilling values in his students that resonate beyond the classroom. From the very beginning of his career, as the creator and faculty advisor of the Student Organization, a community service club, Marty has taught his students the importance of volunteerism and giving back to the local area. Through his work, he has impacted thousands - inspiring more than two generations to dedicate time to care for others and influencing those in his community. Marty has played a fundamental role in inspiring his students to be actively involved in, as well as lead, community service projects.
About the Champions of Care Program
The Champions of Care program is a key element of the Johnson & Johnson CARE INSPIRES CARE campaign, based on the belief that one act of care can inspire another and, ultimately, create a more caring world. Caring for the world, one person at a time, inspires and unites the people of Johnson & Johnson. To learn more, visit their website (http://www.careinspirescare.com/en/home) or connect with them on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/careinspirescareUS?brand_redir=1)
