Dancing With the Stars' Cheryl Burke Steps Out to Help Launch Teen Hero Awards

Taco Bell Foundation for Teens and Think MTV to Honor Youth Volunteers and Give Up to $280,000 in Charitable Grants Nominations Accepted at www.teenheroawards.com Through April 25th

IRVINE, Calif., April 2, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens, a non-profit supporting career, volunteer, and education programs, and Think MTV, MTV's Emmy-winning initiative to educate and empower young people to take action on the biggest challenges facing their generation launched the Teen Hero Awards, a search to honor amazing teens who are making a difference in their community by helping others.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080402/AQW158)

To kick off the nationwide search during April's National Volunteer Month, Cheryl Burke, professional dancer and two-time winner on Dancing with the Stars, visited the Burbank Boys & Girls Club to teach a group of teen dancers a few of her famous dance steps. The teens are part of a volunteer group that visits senior citizens' homes and perform dances for residents.

"Teens are often overlooked as leaders, and yet young people are making a difference all over the world," said Burke. "The Taco Bell Foundation Teen Hero Awards is a way for us to recognize teens for their tremendous volunteer efforts and encourage them to continue taking action in their communities."

Beginning now through April 25, 2008 individuals can nominate a Teen Hero by submitting a nomination form and an original essay of 100-250 words and an optional video or audio file explaining why the teen is a hero. Nominations can be submitted by logging onto http://www.teenheroawards.com/.

"More than 15 million teenagers volunteer their time in the United States annually -- contributing over a billion hours of service," said Bob Fulmer, executive director, Taco Bell Foundation for Teens. "We want to honor these young people and inspire millions more to get involved. It's proven that teens who volunteer tend to do better in school and in life."

Up to 50 Teen Heroes across the country will be recognized and have the opportunity to designate grants ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 to an eligible charity of their choice. A combined total of up to $280,000 in grants will be awarded by the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens.

"Through a constant dialogue with our audience, we know that today's generation of young people are invested in their future and are taking action to improve their own lives and their communities," said Ian Rowe, Senior Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Public Affairs for MTV. "So we are thrilled and committed to empowering young people with innovative ways to affect positive social change -- and to reward those who are making a difference."

In conjunction with the Teen Hero Awards, participating Taco Bell(R) restaurants across the country are teaming up to raise money for the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens to fund teen volunteer programs at local Boys & Girls Clubs. To assist the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens in reaching its $1 million goal, Taco Bell(R) restaurants will be asking for customer donations. All proceeds raised will be given to the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens to benefit teen volunteer programs at Boys & Girls Clubs and the Teen Heroes' designated charities.

According to the 2005 Youth Volunteering and Civic Engagement Survey, there are proven benefits associated with teen volunteerism, including:

-- Teens who volunteer are more likely to graduate from high school and
college
-- Disadvantaged youth who volunteer are nearly 50 percent more likely to
say they would graduate from a four-year college
-- Teens reported that volunteering helped them have more respect for
others; learn to be helpful and kind; find opportunities to develop
leadership skills; and understand the qualities of good citizenship
-- Disadvantaged youth who are introduced to volunteer opportunities are
less likely to engage in risky behaviors

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Nominations for the Teen Hero Awards will be accepted at http://www.teenheroawards.com/ from April 1 to April 25, 2008. Nominators must register with ThinkMTV on the
About the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens

The Taco Bell Foundation for Teens (TBFT), a non-profit 501(c)(3) public benefit corporation, has donated more than $20 million to support teen programs at Boys & Girls Clubs of America since 1995, with the help of on- going customer, franchisee and employee donations. As the largest supporter of teens at Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA), TBFT is focused on addressing the growing number of high school dropouts in the U.S. by providing at-risk youth with mentors and real-world experiences that will motivate them to stay in school and achieve more in life. The Taco Bell Foundation for Teens funds national teen programs at Boys & Girls Clubs nationwide that encourage volunteerism, career planning and college exploration. For more information about the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens, visit http://www.tacobell.com/

About the Boys & Girls Clubs of AmericaBoys & Girls Clubs of America

(http://www.bgca.org/) comprises a national network of more than 3,900 neighborhood-based facilities annually serving some 4.6 million young people, primarily from disadvantaged circumstances. Known as "The Positive Place for Kids," the Clubs provide guidance-oriented character development programs on a daily basis for children 6-18 years old, conducted by a full-time professional staff. Key Boys & Girls Club programs emphasize character and leadership development, education and career development, health and life skills, the arts, sports, fitness and recreation.

About thinkMTV

ThinkMTV is the umbrella for MTV's on-air, off-air and online pro-social campaigns that engage, educate and encourage young people to take action on some of the biggest challenges facing their generation. The backbone for MTV's pro-social efforts is Think.MTV.com, an online community where young people, their friends and some of the biggest names in pop culture come together to effect positive social change. The Think Community is dynamic, multimedia-driven and enables youth to easily learn more about the issues that matter to them most, share their opinions -- via uploaded online videos, podcasts and blogs -- and connect with others to make a difference. The site is one of the only to reward members for positive actions taken online or off, serving up chances to hang out with socially conscious celebs, access to exclusive MTV events, exposure on MTV and other national media outlets, as well as grants, scholarships and more. Think.MTV.com was founded in partnership with the Case Foundation, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Goldhirsh Foundation and MCJ Amelior Foundation. For more information or to build a profile and become involved, visit Think.MTV.com.

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FCMN Contact:

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080402/AQW158
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Taco Bell Foundation for Teens

CONTACT: Bryce Huguenin of Durk Rion Public Relations, +1-312-492-7721,
bryce@durkrion.com

Web site: http://www.teenheroawards.com/
http://www.tacobell.com/
http://www.bgca.org/

2008-04-02 17:29:02 0326891 PRNEWSWIRE