TSS Photography Awards Home-Town Heroes as 'Volunteers of the Year'

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America's Mentors, Coaches, Teachers Honored by Youth Photography Franchise

July 22, 2009 // Franchising.com // Atlanta – After receiving more than 300 nominations from across the country for its second annual 'Volunteer of the Year' award, TSS Photography, the nation's leading youth photography franchise, announced 26 deserving state winners and a national winner for their dedication to shaping the future of America's youth through sports leagues, schools, and other organizations.

Steve Stine from Louisville, KY was chosen as the 'National Volunteer of the Year Winner' for his decade of service to the Jeffersontown Youth Football League and for creating the Mighty Mite Football League in his community. Stine was nominated for his selfless dedication to his local youth sports organizations, from purchasing new uniforms for players who could not afford them to securing the build-out of a new football facility and teaching his young athletes the critical values and lessons that would help them throughout their lives.

"The mission of our Volunteer of the Year program is to help organizations across American show how much they value their volunteers," said Joe Lindenmayer, president of Atlanta-based TSS Photography. "Without the commitment of volunteers like Steve, the activities and organizations that help our communities grow and thrive would not be as successful."

TSS Photography will present each winner with a $500 donation for his or her sponsoring organization, a $150 Portrait Package, a commemorative Award Plaque, $40 worth of Baskin-Robbins® gift certificates and media coverage of their award presentation. As the national winner, Stine will receive a year of free ice-cream from Baskin-Robbins®. He will also receive a paid vacation to Atlanta, Ga. where he will attend TSS Photography's national convention on July 20, 2009 to accept his award.

Nominations for the Volunteer of the Year award were submitted by youth organizations and parents in each of the states that TSS Photography calls home. Nominees included hundreds of coaches, teachers, team parents, and other volunteers who positively impacted the lives of those around them. Award winners were chosen based on specific criteria including the length of time the volunteer has dedicated their services, specific responsibilities and duties performed, specific actions performed that are considered beyond normal duties, and ways the volunteer has helped the lives of others. Nominations were reviewed by a "Volunteer of the Year" selection committee.

"We were thrilled to receive nearly three times the amount of nominated as last year, all describing the amazing stories of Americans who donate their time and energy to strengthening their communities," said Lindenmayer. "Their efforts go a long way, especially during these challenging economic times, and they deserve to be recognized."

In addition to TSS Photography's sponsorship, the Volunteer of the Year awards are also supported by Baskin-Robbins®, the world's largest chain of ice cream specialty shops, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of America, the world's largest wish-granting charity. Keeping in tune with its commitment to community involvement and charitable giving, TSS Photography has been a sponsor of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America since July 2003 and raised more than $266,600 for the Foundation, which has helped grant over 41 wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions. The Make-A-Wish Foundation also relies heavily on nearly 25,000 volunteers to help fulfill its mission.

About TSS Photography

Since its founding in 1983, TSS Photography's culture has centered around grass-roots philanthropic outreach. The home-based franchise has grown to more than 230 units throughout the country and is now the number one choice in youth photography. TSS Photography offers franchise opportunities for a variety of protected territories and a 10 percent discount on all territory plans for veterans.

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