Athletes For Education Founder Honored With 10News Leadership Award

RANCHO SANTA FE, CA, June 11, 2012 (Press-News.org) Athletes for Education (AFE) announced today that AFE Founder and President Steven Haynes is the recipient of the 10News Leadership Award, bestowed posthumously during a ceremony at Sunset Elementary School on Monday, May 7th. The award was accepted by Steven's father, John Haynes, on behalf of Steven who passed away on February 18, 2011, after spending many years nurturing this non-profit organization that he established in 1993. Steven founded AFE with the mission of redirecting the despairing pathways of many local children. Through AFE, Steven enlisted the participation and support of many community leaders to reach low-income and at-risk youth within San Diego and the greater border region. According to AFE Board member and CEO of Surgery One, Scott Leggett, "The legacy of Steven's mission is perpetuated under the capable direction of the AFE Board of Directors, local business owners and numerous volunteers."

Leggett elaborates, "We're proud of Steven's accomplishments and equally honored that former San Diego Charger wide receiver Greg Camarillo and former Cincinnati Bengal linebacker Leon White participated in the award festivities by engaging the students at Sunset Elementary in athletic activities, where we held the award ceremony. Former San Diego Charger strong safety Steve Gregory (currently a defensive back for the New England Patriots) established the outreach program at Sunset Elementary through his 'SG Squad' a non-profit ancillary program of AFE. We're tremendously fortunate that Steven's father, John, was able to travel from Virginia to receive the award on behalf of Steven. Steven's legacy continues to thrive through the outreach efforts of AFE and we're dedicated to continuing the foundation Steven established."

Steven whole-heartedly believed that it was important to reward children for their hard work. He motivated them to achieve better grades in school, better citizenship in the community, and by attaining higher goals. He was instrumental in creating many rewards including "prime time" opportunities for kids to see the San Diego Chargers home games. Annually, over 5,000 lives are touched by Steven's legacy in the U.S. and an additional 1,000 people are served across the United States and Mexico.

The 10News Leadership Award recipient is someone who provides leadership by making San Diego a better place to live, standing up for those who need help, has initiated or created solutions for others, is a role model and fulfills a local need --- thereby improving the quality of life for all San Diegans. http://www.10news.com/leadershipaward/index.html.

AFE is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization comprised of current and former professional athletes, entertainers, business/community leaders and volunteers. Now in its 17h year, AFE promotes children's health and wellness, teaches teamwork and discipline, builds self-confidence, imparts life skills and directly connects hard work with incentives and rewards. The mission of AFE is "Helping Our Youth Help Themselves". http://www.afefoundation.org.