Maestros Positivos To Be Rewarded

Latin America - español

TOMA LECHE to Award a Total of $15,000 to Community Advocates & Their Charities of Choice

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Jan 25, 2012, 01:00 ET

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif., Jan. 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- A statewide contest in search of three 'Maestros Positivos' in the Golden State by the California Milk Processor Board (CMPB), the creator of GOT MILK? and TOMA LECHE, sparked a tremendous outpour of essay writing this past holiday to recognize individuals who tirelessly promote healthy lifestyles and proper nutrition in their communities. Residents, community leaders and young people alike all shared inspiring, tear-jerking narratives about their unsung heroes who make a difference by improving the lives of those around them.

As part of its latest Spanish-language campaign titled, "The Master of the Glass Half Full," a fictional guru who spreads positivity and healthy living through the powers of milk, the CMPB will award each of three 'Maestros Positivos' in California $5,000 ($2,500 for themselves and $2,500 for their charity of choice) for exemplifying positivity in the area of health and nutrition in their respective communities.

"The 'Maestro Positivo' contest shows that positive role models are all around us," says Steve James, executive director of the CMPB. "We're just thrilled to learn about and salute these exemplary individuals, their work and the organizations they tirelessly serve."

Out of the more than 70 entries received, the three 'Maestro Positivo' winners are:

Christina Rodriguez - San Jose, Calif.
Nominated by: Dr. Marjorie Freedman
Charity of Choice: Holy Trinity Catholic Church's Health & Nutrition Ministries

As a registered nurse who provides basic health care and nutrition services to the Latinos in San Jose, Rodriguez hosts monthly health fairs at her church to test blood sugar and pressure. Not only does she donate her time to her community, but Rodriguez spends her own money purchasing testing equipment.

Sara Train - Glendale, Calif.
Self-Nominated
Charity of Choice: U.S.C. Physical Therapy's "Fit Families" Program.

A nutritionist and community volunteer who holds nutrition and healthy cooking classes for 20 to 30 families weekly, Train makes classes fun and interactive so that all family members learn positive eating habits.

Nadia Flores - Costa Mesa, Calif.
Nominated by: Lupita Aragon & the Parents at THINK Together
Charity of Choice: THINK Together

Through her work as outreach manager for the organization, Flores develops programming and events that benefit low-income Latino families in Orange County. Her goal is to promote healthy habits at home for the entire family through information and education.

The 'Maestro Positivo' contest was open to Californians ages 13 and older. They either nominated themselves or another person. Contestants submitted essays no more than 1000 words in Spanish by Dec. 22, 2011 stating the type of work being done to help promote healthy living and nutrition, why it's important to do such work in the Latino community and how a donation could further help the nominees' charity or organization of choice.

All 'Maestro Positivo' winners and their charities will be presented their prizes during their respective check presentation ceremonies to be held in their hometowns by the end of the month.

Produced by advertising partner Huntington Beach-based Grupo Gallegos, "The Master of the Glass Half Full" is a fictional character garbed in a white robe who one day experiences an epiphany and is enlightened about milk's powers of positivity. Pegged as the most positive person in the world, he is featured all over California via TV, radio, billboards and on social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter.

To see the 'Maestro' in action, go to www.facebook.com/ElMaestroDelVasoMedioLleno. To learn about the benefits of milk for the entire family, visit www.tomaleche.com.

About the CMPB

The California Milk Processor Board was established in 1993 to make milk more competitive and increase milk consumption in California. Awareness of GOT MILK? is over 90% nationally and it is considered one of the most important and successful campaigns in history. GOT MILK? is a federally registered trademark that has been licensed by the national dairy boards since 1995. The CMPB's Spanish-language campaign began in 1994 using the tagline "Familia, Amor y Leche" (Family, Love and Milk). The TOMA LECHE (Drink Milk) campaign replaced it in 2006, following a growing trend in Hispanic food advertising that uses wit and humor to reach audiences. GOT MILK? gifts and recipes can be viewed at www.gotmilk.com and www.tomaleche.com. The CMPB is funded by all California milk processors and administered by the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

SOURCE California Milk Processor Board