DO SOMETHING AWARD ON TEEN CHOICE 2008

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Newly Added “Do Something” Award Recognizes Young People Changing The World

Winner Will Receive $100,000 to Invest in Their Cause

TEEN CHOICE 2008 has added a new award category called the “Do
Something” award which will be given to a young person under the age 25 who is doing something good to change the world. In addition to the previously announced TEEN CHOICE 2008 categories, teens will also determine who will win the $100,000 prize by voting for their favorite “Do Something” award nominee online at TeenChoiceAwards.com. The show, hosted by Miley Cyrus, will air Monday, Aug. 4 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

“One amazing young person is going to be recognized for their philanthropic efforts and impact on their community and get the rock star treatment they deserve at the show,“ said Bob Bain, Executive Producer of TEEN CHOICE 2008.

“We think young people aren’t just tomorrow’s leaders; many young people are doing amazing things right now,” said Nancy Lublin, CEO of Do Something, Inc.

The Do Something category will recognize a young non-celebrity leader who is devoted to making a positive impact on social issues such as human rights, poverty, medical advancement and environmental sustainability. The winner will receive the coveted surfboard award and $100,000 from Do Something for his/her cause. Nominees were identified by an online application process and in person interviews with national not-for-profit DoSomething.org.

“DO SOMETHING” AWARD NOMINEES:

Chad Bullock (19), ANTI-TOBACCO ACTIVIST – Chad is the leading youth antitobacco activist…and he lives right in the middle of tobacco country. He works with politicians, companies, not for profits and other teens. One of his biggest successes was making the Durham Bulls Arena a smoke-free building.

Caitlin Cohen (22), MALI HEALTH ORGANIZATION PROJECT (MHOP) – Most people can’t find Mali on a map. Caitlin not only volunteered there in slums, she Caitlin founded the Mali Health Organizing Project which has reached 60,000 people with programs for health outreach, microfinance, literacy and peer education.

Kathryn Cunningham (22), POWER UP GAMBIA – While in Gambia, Kathryn witnessed an infant die because an incubator lacked electricity. She decided something needed to be done. Upon returning to the United States, Kathryn founded Power Up Gambia with the mission of providing sustainable solar energy to hospitals and clinics in Gambia. This summer, 72 life-giving solar panels will have been installed in Gambia.

Kjerstin Erickson (24), FORGE – Kjerstin spent time volunteering in a refugee camp in Botswana—and became addicted…to helping refugees. Frustrated with government programs, she started her own organization. To date, FORGE has implemented over 60 community development projects and serves more than 60,000 refugees from five African countries.

Dallas Jessup (16), JUST YELL FIRE – Don't mess with Dallas. This cute blonde is a Tae Kwon Do black belt and an instructor in Filipino Street Fighting. After reading about a string of assaults in her area, she decided to use her skills to help teens defend themselves. Her program has been distributed to over 415,000 teens worldwide.

Pat Pedraja (13), DRIVING FOR DONORS – At the age of 10, Pat developed leukemia. Pat almost died because he is Latino and they couldn’t find a bone marrow match. Pat convinced his mom to get in a car and Drive for Donors. Pat sold sponsorship on his bald head to fund the trip and they added 8,000 donors to the registry. They have already made 3 life saving matches and are planning a
2008 International Tour. He is now 13…still fighting, but still on chemo.

Zander Srodes (18), TURTLE TALKS – Sea turtles are endangered. Zander is saving them. He works with marine biologists, educators, and politicians to raise awareness and change policies. And Zander has written a book about the plight of sea turtles that has been translated into more than 4 languages.

Adam Sterling (25), SUDAN DIVESTMENT TASK FORCE (Part of Genocide Intervention Network) – Adam comes from a family of Holocaust survivors. He knows the horror of genocide. So when he learned of the atrocities occurring in Darfur, he had to act. Adam is one of the people who brought Darfur to the world’s attention. He founded an organization that targets the Sudanese government's pocketbook: successfully drafting and lobbing for the "Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act," signed by President Bush in December of 2007. As a result of Adam’s efforts, nine major companies have ceased operations in Sudan. He is the subject of the documentary film “Darfur Now.”

Daniel Zoughbie (23), GLOBAL MICRO-CLINIC PROJECT (GMCP) – Daniel’s family is from Palestine. Because there was no health clinic, Daniel’s grandmother died from diabetes. In her memory, he began the Global Micro-Clinic Project, establishing 50 community based "micro-clinics" serving poor people in the Middle East.
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DO SOMETHING (DoSomething.org) believes teenagers have the power to make a difference. Do Something leverages communications technologies to enable teens to convert their ideas and energy into positive action. We inspire, empower and celebrate a generation of doers: teenagers who recognize the need to do something, believe in their ability to get it done, and then take action. Plug in at DoSomething.org.

TEEN CHOICE 2008 celebrates the hottest teen icons in film, television, music, sports and fashion. This year the coolest stars will receive coveted Teen Choice Surfboard awards in categories such as Choice Reality Dance TV Show, Choice Movie Bromantic Comedy, Choice Movie Chick Flick, Choice Breakout Artist, Choice Male Hottie, Choice Female Athlete, and Choice Movie Villain. Every year, the special presents performances by some of pop music’s hottest stars. Fans ages 13-19 can vote once each day for their favorite TEEN CHOICE 2008 nominees at TeenChoiceAwards.com.

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