Jordan Thomas named CNN Top Ten Hero of 2009
Chattanooga’s Jordan Thomas was notified today that he was selected as one of CNN’s Top Ten Heroes for 2009. Jordan, 20 and a junior at the College of Charleston, was chosen as a CNN Hero of the Week in September and was then selected as a Top Ten hero by a blue-ribbon panel that included Whoopi Goldberg and Elton John. Jordan’s foundation receives a gift of $25,000 with this award. Jordan and his family will travel to Hollywood Thanksgiving week for a celebration event hosted by Anderson Cooper at the Kodak Theatre. The celebrity studded celebration for the Top Ten Heros will be aired on Thanksgiving Day night on CNN.
As a Top Ten Hero, the public now votes on-line for the Top Hero of the Year. Jordan asks that Chattanoogans, Tennesseeans, and all his friends, family, and acquaintances vote for him at CNN.com/Heroes. You may vote as often as you can between now and November 19th. The top winner will be announced after that date and will receive $100,000 with this award for their work.
Jordan started the Jordan Thomas Foundation at the age of 16 while still in the hospital recovering from the accidental loss of both legs below the knee. Jordan’s foundation provides prosthetics for children with limb loss and partners with them through their growth years until the age of 18. The average cost of one prosthetic leg is $10,000 and a prosthetic arm averages $15,000. The foundation estimates that it will need reserves of approximately $80-100,000 for each child. There are three recipients to date, and a fourth recipient is being considered. The foundation, through Jordan’s family and volunteers has raised over $400,000 to date. More information about Jordan, his foundation, and his recipients may be found on this website.
Jordan Thomas - CNN Hero
Jordan was introduced on Larry King Live as a CNN Hero the last week in August. Jordan spoke live with Larry King on Thursday preceding the Hero coverage on Friday and Saturday. The CNN Hero coverage ran throughout the United States and the world, on CNN, CNN Headline, and CNN International, also airing in Spanish. Jordan was featured as a hero who took the accidental loss of his legs below the knee, and turned it into a great foundation to help other children receive the prosthetics that they need and can't afford. Click here to watch the CNN Heros Videos.
Jordan Thomas - 2009 National
Courage Center Recipient
Jordan recently received the call that he had been chosen to receive the National Courage Center 2009 Award in August in Minneapolis, Minnesota. What an honor! And to think that he was chosen over other nominees that included Michael J. Fox, Mohammad Ali, and Jennie McCarthy to name a few. Jordan was nominated by someone who met him at the AFP International Awards banquet where he received the 2009 Youth In Philanthropy Award. An added plus to this award is that the PGA Championship is being held nearby during the week before the awards presentation on August 15th, and Jordan will receive VIP ‘behind the ropes’ status at the event. We are grateful to this organization for recognizing Jordan and his efforts through his foundation to help children in need of prosthetics, and for the national attention this will bring not only to his foundation but also to the disabilities and prosthetics parity act being considered on the House floor which Jordan supports. Check under "News" for more information.
3rd Annual Low Country Boil and JTF Golf Classic
This year, the Jordan Thomas Foundation Golf Classic - to be held on Monday, October 5, 2009, will be preceded with the Low Country Boil on Saturday evening, the 3rd of October at 7PM. The Low Country Boil, will be held at the Warehouse Row Courtyard, Chattanooga, TN. and will again feature that great low country food that you have come to enjoy as well as live entertainment and cocktails. There will be great silent auction items for you to bid on, and plenty of opportunities to visit with Jordan and his family. The 3rd Annual JTF Golf Classic will again be held on the challenging, premier course of the Chattanooga Golf and Country Club on Monday, October 5th. Information through the flat-mail will follow. The Save The Date card is on its way. Thank you for your support of this event.
Jordan Thomas CNN Hero Award Winner Special Event
Jordan recently received the call that he had been chosen to receive the National Courage Center 2009 Award in August in Minneapolis, Minnesota. What an honor! And to think that he was chosen over other nominees that included Michael J. Fox, Mohammad Ali, and Jennie McCarthy to name a few. Jordan was nominated by someone who met him at the AFP International Awards banquet where he received the 2009 Youth In Philanthropy Award. An added plus to this award is that the PGA Championship is being held nearby during the week before the awards presentation on August 15th, and Jordan will receive VIP ‘behind the ropes’ status at the event. We are grateful to this organization for recognizing Jordan and his efforts through his foundation to help children in need of prosthetics, and for the national attention this will bring not only to his foundation but also to the disabilities and prosthetics parity act being considered on the House floor which Jordan supports.
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