Martha Stewart Announced a Grand Prize Winner in the Second Annual ‘Dreamers Into Doers‘ Awards Program Sponsored by Wyndham Worldwide.

Grand Prize Winner, Amy Jaffe Barzach of Hartford, CT, Along with 10 Other Deserving Finalists Honored for Their Entrepreneurial Spirit on The Martha Stewart Show

Plus, Renowned Author and Speaker Dr. Maya Angelou Presented with the Martha Stewart Living Legend Award

Martha Stewart welcomed the 11 finalists in her second annual “Dreamers Into Doers” Awards program to the set of her New York City studio to announce the Grand Prize winner. More than 2,225 dreamers entered the competition, which honors extraordinary women who have turned their specific passions into a career, business or philanthropic program, just as Martha did 25 years ago with her first book, Entertaining.

Since the program’s launch in May, close to 10,000 women have joined the online Dreamers community at www.marthastewart.com/dreamers, actively conversing with the 11 finalists and each other, and sharing tips for creating a successful enterprise. Approximately 15,000 women have also signed up to receive the weekly “Dreamers into Doers” newsletter full of helpful ideas and advice.

Amy Jaffe Barzach of West Hartford, CT was named the Grand Prize winner. Amy founded Boundless Playgrounds(TM), the first national non-profit organization dedicated to helping communities create playgrounds for children of all abilities. After the heartbreaking death of her nine-month-old son Jonathan from spinal muscular atrophy, Amy decided to create a playground where children with and without disabilities could play together.

After the playground opened in 1996, there was an outpouring of people looking to build similar structures in their communities that led to establish Boundless Playgrounds in 1997. Today, there are more than 100 Boundless Playgrounds in over 20 states and Canada, with dozens more in development. Amy received $10,000 to help her pursue her dream, along with vacations for a lifetime provided by Wyndham Vacation Ownership.

The 10 remaining finalists were each awarded $1,000, and also received a week-long vacation at the Wyndham Rio Mar Resort + Spa in Puerto Rico.

“Women on Their Way, a Wyndham Worldwide program that provides travel advice and support, is proud to sponsor Dreamers Into Doers,” said Virginia Wilson, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Wyndham Worldwide. “We applaud all of the award winners and the many unheralded nominees who serve as great role models to women every day.”

In addition, Dr. Maya Angelou was recognized with the Martha Stewart Living Legend Award. As a poet, educator, historian, best-selling author, actress, playwright, civil-rights activist, producer and director, Dr. Angelou continues to captivate audiences of all generations.

Also on the set was last year’s Grand Prize winner, Cindy Kerr from Philadelphia, PA. Cindy, a talented quilter and devoted mother of a child with cancer, founded ConKerr Cancer to provide hand-made pillowcases to children battling life-changing illnesses. With the help of Martha Stewart’s ‘Dreamers Into Doers,’ Cindy was able to expand ConKerr Cancer’s contributions from six hospitals to 46 hospitals across North America, reaching more than 38,000 sick children with beautiful, handcrafted pillows.

2008 Dreamers Into Doers – Honorees:

Grand Prize Winner
Amy Jaffe Barzach, West Hartford, CT
Boundless Playgrounds
First national non-profit organization dedicated to helping communities
create playgrounds for children with and without disabilities.

Stephanie Hogan Webb, Wilmington, NC
Seedling Kids
Offers a collection of garden-inspired clothing for infants, toddlers, and
kids. All garments are made from 100% certified Texas cotton and cut and
sewn in Pennsylvania.

Tabitha Geary, Richmond, VA
Tabitha Geary LLC
Creates personalized albums for clients using photos, artwork, letters,
etc. Voted as one of Virginia’s Top 10 Growth Companies to Watch in 2008.

Patricia Fragen, Naperville, IL
Normal Moments, Inc
A 501 nonprofit that provides supportive services like house cleaning,
lawn care, meal allowances, pet care, and phone-support buddy to parents
with critically ill children. Currently serving 25 families in the Chicago area.

Jacquelyn Simoni, Glen Ellyn, IL
Puplights
Puplights are lights that attach to the dog’s collar for night walking.
Has donated hundreds of Puplights to worthwhile causes like Hurricane
Katrina, 82nd Airborne and Bear Search & Rescue.
Available under Pets

Kristine Lindsay, Grafton, WI
Operation Snuggle
Creates quilts for children of soldiers from Wisconsin. Has produced over
3,000 quilts. The goal is to create a quilt for every child with a family
member leaving for Iraq.

Carrie Morey, Charleston, SC
Callie’s Charleston Biscuits
A biscuit company created with her mother Callie White. All southern-style
biscuits are made by hand, come in four varieties and ship all over the US.


BethAnn Goldberg, Menlo Park, CA
Studio Cake
Customized 3D cakes.

Laura Masterson, Portland, OR
47th Avenue Farm in Portland, Oregon
Personal Farmer. Produces farm-fresh food grown in the city for people who
live there. Feeds more than 200 people and delivers to several renowned
restaurants. Clients have the chance to pick own food off farm land.

Kathy Tolleson, Daytona Beach, FL
ROAR Motorcycles, Inc.
Empowering women to design and customize their own bike. Also began a ROAR
Charity to help underprivileged women and children.

Ann McGee, Henderson, NV
Miracle Flights For Kids
Organization to finance and organize free airline tickets to critically
ill children in order to receive treatments.

“The Martha Stewart Show” is a nationally-syndicated, daily “how-to” series anchored by segments that entertain, inform and inspire. Featuring movers, shakers and headline makers plus everyday people who’ve accomplished extraordinary things, “The Martha Stewart Show” sheds new light on subjects including cooking and entertaining, decorating, and home renovation and provides a forum for Martha Stewart’s sense of humor, love of fun and desire to teach.

SOURCE Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc.