FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 18, 2014
Released by: Lt. Bob Dunn, (714) 497-6330
Subject: Anaheim Police to Honor Ten Anaheim Youths for Doing the Right Thing
Tomorrow, Wednesday, November 19, 2014, at 11:00 A.M., the Anaheim Police Department will recognize ten Anaheim youths who demonstrated they will do the right thing! As part of the “Do The Right Thing” (DTRT) Program ten youths from across Anaheim will be recognized for their selfless acts including: a second-grader who assisted a non-English speaking student during his first weeks at school; a third-grader who held a backpack drive and provided 129 of her peers with new backpacks; a sixth grader who prepares meals at a senior citizen center; and a ninth grader who creates get well cards for sick children. This first recognition ceremony, hosted by the Anaheim Police Department and the Anaheim Chapter of Do The Right Thing, is being held at the Anaheim Police Department Training Auditorium and will begin at 11:00 A.M.
The Anaheim Chapter of Do The Right Thing is the first chapter in California and was initiated by 17 year-old Aviella Winder who was a recipient of the award in Rochester, New York (2009). Aviella was recognized with the DTRT award for volunteering throughout New York State, by using her talents to raise money for soldiers, hospitals, and nursing homes. After moving to Anaheim, Aviella became a Junior Ambassador for DTRT and is an active volunteer for other charitable organizations.
The DTRT program began in 1990 during a Miami Police Department awards ceremony in which a teenager was recognized by the Chief of Police for turning in a loaded gun found at his school. Community volunteers, who witnessed the impact the positive recognition had on this teenager, decided to join forces with the Miami Police Department and develop an on-going recognition program for students. Today, Do The Right Thing is a non-profit organization dedicated to recognizing and rewarding school-age youth for positive accomplishments, behavior and good deeds. The program ensures that young people are not only rewarded for “doing the right thing,” but also publicly recognized as role models for their peers. Currently, there are 58 chapters worldwide.
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