National Search Reveals America's "Grandparent of The Year"

National Children's Charity KidsPeace and GRAND Magazine Announce Winner and 20 Finalists From Across U.S. in Time for National Grandparents Day on Sept. 7

A national search spanning all 50 states has ended and winners declared for one of the most beloved - and important - titles in America today.

Selia Ricardez from Whittier, California, has been named the nation's GRANDParent of the Year for 2008 - just in time for National Grandparents Day this coming Sunday, September 7th. A radiologic technologist, Ms. Ricardez has demonstrated the ability to see into and penetrate the hearts of others with healing love and wisdom. Selia gets up at 5:00 am every day to make lunches for her four grandchildren, help their busy, working parents take them to school, attend to bumps and bruises as well as their spiritual needs, and enrich the lives of this quintessentially American family, which encompasses several cultures, including Chinese, Hispanic, and Cambodian.

Grandparents are the primary caregivers for nearly six million children across the U.S. - and the numbers are growing. In fact, 75 percent of all nonparent care of children in America is now provided by grandparents.

Selia Ricardez is involved in every aspect of her grandchildren's lives. "I always ask: 'What did you do on the playground? What happened at school today?' says Ricardez. "Maybe someone pushed them. Now they're relaxed, they feel safe, they'll talk about it. I think they open up with me because I share things from when I was a little girl, they listen, they relate to my stories, to my opening up and sharing."

20 Finalists from 16 States Because there were so many inspiring stories submitted, 20 additional finalists from 16 states have been named. They are: ARIZONA: Craig Hutton, CALIFORNIA: Barbara Byron, June and Gary Taylor, COLORADO: Constance Thibodaux, CONNECTICUT: Judi Adams-Evans, FLORIDA: Kim Weise, GEORGIA: Dorothy Wilcher, ILLINOIS: Carl and Nadine Schroeder, INDIANA: James Platt, KENTUCKY: Beth Pruitt-Wells, MISSOURI: Beldin Hare, NEW JERSEY: Carole Unger, NORTH CAROLINA: Betty Goodwin and Carol Nebrat, OHIO: Nancy Ligon, TENNESSEE: Richard Turner, TEXAS: Ilona Malone, Frank Nicosia, WISCONSIN: Pat Ryan.

The stories of the ten semi-finalists can be found on the website, www.grandmagazine.com.

"In choosing our winners, we read compassionate stories of Grands who are raising their grandchildren," says GRAND magazine publisher Christine Crosby. "Grands who are active in their grandchildren's lives despite disabilities, Grands who moved away from comfortable lives in order to live closer to the grandchildren, Grands who juggle work and family, Grands who are teachers of life, spiritual guides, role models, advocates for the rights of others, peacemakers, and adventurers." "Grandparents are becoming increasingly critical to the health and welfare of our nation's children," says Dr. Lorrie Henderson, acting president of the 126-year-old national children's crisis charity KidsPeace. "At a time when children are facing unprecedented stresses and many parents are busy juggling home and career, the deep reservoir of knowledge and parenting wisdom held by today's 79 million grandparents amounts to nothing less that a national treasure. There's a Mother's Day. There's a Father's Day. There's even a National KidsDay(r). It's time we recognized the invaluable contributions made by today's grandparents."

NOTE TO REPORTERS: Interviews with Selia Ricardez, other winners, experts at KidsPeace, GRAND magazine publisher Christine Crosby, and award-winning GRAND editor Wendy Reid Crisp are available through this office.

GRAND Magazine, the Official Magazine of Grandparents, is a national resource for today's active grandparents.

KidsPeace is a 126-year-old national children's charity dedicated to giving help, hope and healing to kids facing crises including traumas, neglect, depression, and the pressures of modern life. Founded in Bethlehem, Pa. in 1882, KidsPeace helps 10,000 children at 50+ centers nationally and millions more through public education and outreach. Supported by VIP leaders including its national spokesperson and founder of the Memory Foundation Leeza Gibbons, child advocates, and child safety and self- esteem icon RETRO BILL, KidsPeace was named "The Outstanding Organization" of its kind in the country by the AAPSC and was called "a prototype of what we need for all children everywhere" by the late, nationally renowned child and family expert, Dr. Lee Salk.

Contact: Mark Stubis , 800-25-PEACE , mstubis@kidspeace.org