IRVING, Texas—The Dallas Cowboys have announced Lizzie Cochran the winner of the 2012 Dallas Cowboys Community Quarterback Award.
During a special press conference at Valley Ranch Friday, Cowboys Executive Vice President and Director of Charities Charlotte Jones Anderson recognized Cochran for her service to the North Texas community and presented her with a $10,000 grant to her nominating charity, the Miracle Players Foundation.
At 22, Cochran is the founder of the Miracle Players Foundation which brings musical theatre programs to local hospitals and raises funds to go towards pediatric cancer research at Children's Medical Center in Dallas. The foundation addresses the emotional needs of patients by using the fun and confidence-building art of theatre to brighten the days of hospitalized children and their families.
"I am so honored and thankful for this support of Miracle Players Foundation's mission of acting up for a cure and this opportunity to spread childhood cancer awareness," said Cochran. "I've had the chance to get to know some of the bravest kids in the world. Every year more than 12,400 children are diagnosed with cancer in the United States alone, but with the help of dedicated individuals and groups like Gene and Jerry Jones Family Charities, we are working hard to make sure that those children get the bright futures they deserve."
Cochran was selected the winner by the Community Quarterback Award panel (members of which are listed below). The panel also selected two runners-up for a $2,500 grant and seven finalists for a $500 grant to give to their nominating charities. Grant recipients include volunteers from the American Heart Association, Family Getaway, The Salvation Army, SafeHaven of Tarrant County, TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation, Arlington Life Shelter, Children's Advocacy Center for Denton County and the North Texas Food Bank.
Since 2000, the Dallas Cowboys Community Quarterback Award program has functioned to identify and honor local volunteers who go above and beyond to better the North Texas community, while awarding nearly a quarter million dollars to the charities that they serve.
2012 Community Quarterback Award Panel:
- Charlotte Jones Anderson, Cowboys Executive Vice President and Director of Charities
- Calvin Hill, former Dallas Cowboy and team consultant
- Gene Jones, Gene and Jerry Jones Family Charities Chairman of the Board
- Babe Laufenberg, KTVT-TV CBS 11
- Kristi Scales, Dallas Cowboys Radio
- Brad Sham, Dallas Cowboys Radio
- Joe Trahan, WFAA-TV ABC 8
