SAN DIEGO, Calif., Aug. 30, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- The 2 Life 18 Foundation, Inc. (www.2 Life 18.org), formed in the days after the Katrina devastation to aid in first-responder relief efforts, today announced that its co-founder and chairman, David Perez was honored by A&E Network as one of the top 10 people in the world in 2005.
In an A&E Network special presentation, Biography of the Year 2005, the network brought viewers a two-hour countdown of the top 10 people -- celebrities, politician and ordinary people who have done extraordinary things -- who had the greatest impact in 2005. 2 Life 18 founder David Perez was honored among those top 10 for his efforts during the Hurricane Katrina disaster that not only helped thousands of people, but gave inspiration to many more to help. A video clip of the segment can be seen at the following link: http://homepage.mac.com/uromastyx.studio/davidperez.html.
Mr. Perez was also honored by the Women's International Center (www.wic.org) with the Living Legacy Good Samaritan award for his humanitarian work flying Hurricane Katrina survivors to safety and security and helping them rebuild their lives.
The Women's International Center was founded in 1982 by current President Gloria Lane with the purpose to acknowledge, honor, encourage and educate women. In 1984 WIC began its public recognition of extraordinary women and men with the Living Legacy Awards. Since that time the Living Legacy Award has been presented to over 150 of the world's most remarkable people, including presidents, heads of state, several first ladies, educators, film and stage actors, scientists, athletes, business, political and military leaders and others.
Mr. Perez and his wife Orly have also been honored by the State of Louisiana Senate for their efforts during the Katrina disaster. Additionally, Mr. Perez was honored with a Special Recognition by the State of California and by U.S. Congressman Charles Melancon of Louisiana in recognition of outstanding and invaluable service to the community. David Perez is also the Recipient of the Channel 10 News (ABC) 2005 Leader of the Year Award.
2 Life 18 Founders Expand Charitable Efforts
David and Orly Perez also announced they have branched out into other charitable endeavors in line with their social responsibility to help save lives and uplift humanity. To that end, the Perez's have become major supporters of the following charities:
-- Hands On Network (www.handsonnetwork.org) is heavily involved in rebuilding the Gulf Coast. Mr. Perez is coordinating the delivery of mobile field command and control centers, heavy duty generators with water purification systems. The vehicles are outfitted to offer relief during hurricanes, flooding, earthquakes, fires or an avian flu outbreak. -- PRC Compassion (www.prccompassion.net) is a charitable organization made up of a coalition of churches and pastors across the U.S. Its goal is to address community needs and distribute relief. In an effort to provide relief to the devastated regions affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, PRC Compassion is supplying food, water and other basic needs, providing various heavy equipment for rebuilding, sending laborers to work at cleaning up churches, and providing counselors for the emotional needs of those effected by the Hurricanes and their aftermath. PRC compassion manages over $150,000 of Diesel powered Generators that were donated by 2 Life 18 to New Orleans to help Rebuild Churches and for Food Distribution Facilities, Medical Centers, Hospitals and Shelters. -- Common Ground's (http://www.commongroundrelief.org/) mission is to provide short-term relief for victims of hurricane disasters in the gulf coast region, and long-term support in rebuilding the communities affected in the New Orleans area. Common Ground is a community-initiated volunteer organization offering assistance, mutual aid and support. The work gives hope to communities by working with them, providing for their immediate needs and emphasizes people working together to rebuild their lives in sustainable ways. The Lower 9th ward project is a community driven initiative that strives to actualize the articulated needs and wants of the residents of the Lower 9th Ward. Since January 1st, when the project began, Common Ground has operated a distribution center, a tool lending library, a community media center, a fist aid station, two temporary housing spaces and a community kitchen. 2 Life 18 and Penta have been providing pallets of bottled water for volunteers rebuilding the Lower 9th Ward. -- Jewish Family Services (www.jfsmilw.org) continues to care for over 100 Hurricane Katrina evacuees that were brought to San Diego, CA by Mr. Perez. The Mission of Jewish Family Services is to provide supportive services that will strengthen families, children and individuals throughout the life cycle within the context of their unique needs and traditions. -- The Jenna Druck Foundation (www.JennaDruck.org) provided ongoing emotional support and education to disaster victims who suffered the loss of life and property as a result of Hurricane Katrina, September 11th and many other disasters through its FAMILY helping families program. -- Photocharity (www.photocharity.org) is dedicated to raising awareness and funds for charitable organizations that empower youth to make better choices. -- Junior Seau Foundation for Kids (www.juniorseau.org) seeks to educate and empower young people through the support of child abuse prevention efforts, drug and alcohol awareness, recreational opportunities, anti-juvenile delinquency efforts and complimentary educational programs.
About 2 Life 18 Foundation, Inc.
David Perez, CEO of San Diego-based Surge Global Energy (OTCBB:SRGG) (www.SurgeGlobalEnergy.com) and founder of the 2 Life 18 Foundation, formed in the days following the destruction of Hurricane Katrina, believes that Americans have a moral imperative to be prepared to respond immediately to the needs of their fellow citizens -- particularly if the government is ever caught off guard again. The foundation will continue in the tradition of the Katrina Relief Effort and provide a coordinated, private sector-based "first response" effort in times of national emergencies, ideally partnering with existing governmental and relief agencies in order to provide urgently needed evacuation, food, counseling, housing, financial aid and medicine, and to continue to extend dignity and help to victims as they rebuild their lives following catastrophic disasters. The 2 Life 18 Foundation will support causes focused on saving lives and uplifting humanity. For more information, interested parties can visit www.2Life18.org