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9-19-05 PRESS RELEASE

'SUCCESS FOR GOOD' ANNOUNCES FIRST-TIME
GOLDEN KARMA AWARD WINNERS FOR COMMUNITY PHILANTHROPY


SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (September 19, 2005) - Two local Valley leaders and role models, committed to social responsibility in our community, were recently selected to receive the first Golden Karma Awards and will receive their elegant statues when they're unveiled and presented November 2nd at Debbie Gaby's Catwalk for Charity Celebrity Fashion Show Luncheon at the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa.

"Susan Karis and Jimmy Walker are two outstanding community leaders in the Valley who have generously donated their time and resources to several nonprofit organizations over the years and have made a positive impact on many lives," says Annette Marino, chairman and founding director of Success For Good, a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the nonprofit community. "Our nominating committee selected both honorees for their influence as positive role models."

Susan Karis, Senior Vice President of the Southwest Region for Clear Channel Radio as of April 2005, is responsible for 17 markets in Texas, Arizona and Nevada. She is a graduate of Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science in Broadcasting and Advertising.

Awards are not new to Susan. In 2004 she received two awards: 2004 Woman of Distinction for the Southwest Chapter of the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation and 2004 Clear Channel Radio Executive of the Year for the Sunbelt Region. "Nearest to my heart are organizations that can impact our children and prepare them for a successful life," says Karis. Under her leadership, Clear Channel Radio donates more than $660,000 in public affairs programming, airs more than 10,000 public service announcements per year totaling $1,944,000 in air time and their Clear Channel web initiative donates over $480,000 to local charities.

Karis is a board member for the Valley of the Sun United Way, Endowment Board of Trustees for the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Telecommunications at ASU, Media Relations Chair Person for Florence Crittenton Services of Arizona and Director with the Arizona Broadcaster's Association.

Jimmy Walker, is President of the Sports, Entertainment and Business Planning division of Walker & Hebets, LLC, an executive compensation, insurance and benefits consulting firm that has over 3,000 clients and represents approximately 250 professional athletes and various entertainers.

For many years he has helped various Valley charities raise money and invited celebrities to participate in their events, knowing it would help spread the good word. One of his favorites is Bicycles for Kids, which has given approximately 4,300 bikes to underprivileged children at Christmas parties that his family started in 1982. Additionally, Walker founded the Celebrity Fight Night Foundation, which over the past 11 years has raised nearly $32 million for charities, primarily The Muhammad Ali Parkinson Research Center at Barrow Neurological Institute. Ali has attended each year. Other guests include: Michael J. Fox, Larry King, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Billy Crystal, Robin Williams, Celine Dion, Rod Stewart, Reba McEntire, Lionel Richie, etc.

Walker is a Trustee on the Barrow Neurological Foundation Board; a member on the Neuroscience Research Center Campaign Committee; he serves on the Board of the Phoenix Boys and Girls Club; the National Board of Athletes in Action and has been a Board Member on the Phoenix Christian Men's Business Club. He was named Muscular Dystrophy Association's Man of the Year in 1995, Crisis Nursery's Honorary Chairman for their 2000 charity event, he received the National Association of Fundraising Executives Spirit of Philanthropy Award in 2000, was honored at the Phoenix Theatre's annual gala for being a "King of Arts' for his support in 2002, and the American Jewish Committee, Arizona Chapter, honored Jimmy and his wife Nancy with the National Human Relations Award in 2003.

About the Golden Karma Awards (GKA):
  • GKA initiative is a mentoring and recognition program of Success For Good
  • Purpose: to honor celebrities and community leaders for philanthropic actions
  • Award is designed by Molina Fine Jewelers design team
  • Community philanthropy awards will expand to other cities in 2006
  • Celebrity awards ceremony will be nationally televised in 2006

For more information or digital photos of the award or honorees, please contact Myra Richman at 480.481.2002. Please visit www.goldenkarmaawards.org and www.successforgood.org.


© Success For Good, Inc.
Success For Good and Golden Karma Awards are trademarks of Success For Good, Inc.
The Golden Karma Award design is a trademark of Success For Good, Inc.

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