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2005 Young Philanthropist Award

Boston, MA, May 3, 2005 - With hard work, dedication and generosity, Alexandra Azzolino embodies the true meaning of philanthropy and all that it can achieve. On May 3, at the Radisson Hotel in Boston, Women in Development of Greater Boston (WIDGB) honored this year's recipient.

Betsy Kamborian (WID President), Alexandra Azzolino, and Benaree Wiley (President and CEO, The Partnership) at the Young Philanthropist Award Presentation on May 3rd.

WIDGB selected Alexandra Azzolino as the recipient of 2005 Young Philanthropist Award for her extraordinary commitment and dedication to helping kids with serious illnesses. In 2002 at age 11, Alexandra Azzolino founded Kids Kount, a charitable foundation dedicated to helping kids who are afflicted with childhood diseases. The Foundation's mission is to organize and conduct fundraising events driven by children and to donate these funds to organizations directly involved in research, prevention or treatment of childhood diseases such as diabetes, cancer and AIDS. In just 3 years, Alexandra raised $22,000 for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and Joslin Diabetes Center. Last year, 40 kids, from five different schools, participated in her read-a-thon. Alexandra's inspiration for launching Kids Kount stemmed from a church based read-a-thon that raised money for a local hospital. After participating in this project, Alex started her own read-a-thon, and went on to add a bowl-a-thon and a softball hit-a-thon. Alexandra lives in Acton and is enrolled in the ninth grade at Acton Boxborough Regional High School. In addition to running Kids Kount, Alexandra plays softball, volleyball and the piano.

Since 2003, Women in Development of Greater Boston has recognized and celebrated the contributions of young philanthropists, male or female, who make a difference in advancing the spirit of philanthropy in the greater community.