"Determination, perseverance, never-quit spirit - those are all attributes shared by the group of people announced as the top 100 semi-finalists in the search for the winner of the Energizer Keep Going Hall of Fame," said Energizer officials.
Jeff Lambin of Gardnerville was named a finalist - one of 10 - in the national contest, and his siblings Rachael and John-Henry Lambin are among those honored as semi-finalists.
On June 5, Jeff's family and friends surprised him at the family business, Lambin Insurance Co. in Minden, with the decision and a party.
Jeff founded Kids Karts, an organization dedicated to keeping kids' hands and minds busy during their hospital stays. Jeff secured $75,000 in product donations to build and stock rolling, wooden carts with items to keep children busy while in the hospital.
"When his brother spent time in the hospital with nothing more to do than watch television, Jeff wanted to give other kids in similar situations a way to keep their hands and minds busy. As a result, he built 'Kids Kart,' a rolling wooden cart with toys, games, books and crafts and delivered it to a local hospital. Since then, he has secured $75,000 and product donations to build and stock 15 additional Karts and has delivered them throughout Northern Nevada and California," said Energizer officials.
Rachael Lambin started the organization HOPE (Helping Obese People through Education), which focuses on helping young people make healthy choices to avoid obesity and related illnesses. She has organized 250 clinics in eight states on exercise, nutrition and self-esteem. She's also written and published several self-help books. John-Henry Lambin has created two organizations. Kids Extreme is focused on teaching disabled kids how to succeed despite their obstacles. The second organization, Book Buddies, connects kids in the community with the elderly by pairing them up as homework and reading buddies.
The Energizer Keep Going Hall of Fame was created in 2006 as a way to share the inspiring stories of people who live every day with the same spirit as the Energizer Bunny. The 100 semi-finalists were entered into a second judging phase and narrowed to a pool of 10 finalists. One winner was chosen from the 10 finalists by a public vote via the Web at www.energizer.com/halloffame. Voting for the 10 Keep Going Hall of Fame finalists will begin Thursday and last through Aug. 1.
The Keep Going Hall of Fame winner will receive a $10,000 cash prize plus a $5,000 donation to the winner's favorite charity. If Jeff wins, his money will go to youth literacy, according to his mother, Debbie Lambin.
The winner will also be formally honored at an induction ceremony on Sept. 6 in St. Louis, Mo., Baseball Hall of Fame inductee and inaugural member of the Keep Going Hall of Fame, Cal Ripken Jr., will also be on hand for the celebration.
"We all know people like this - ordinary people with extraordinary stories and unstoppable energy," said Jeff Ziminski, vice president North American & Global Marketing, chief marketing officer. "We are excited to honor these unsung heroes through the Keep Going Hall of Fame."
