In recognition of his tremendous humanitarian efforts and support of Starlight Children’s Foundation™, Jim Piccolo was honored at Starlight’s annual “Sparkling Starry Soiree”, held on Saturday, March 13th, with an award named after him – the “Jim Piccolo Humanitarian Award”!

As one of the highest honors presented by Starlight, this award pays tribute to outstanding individuals – both nationally and community-based – who have demonstrated extreme dedication to “brightening the lives” of seriously ill children and their families through their work and philanthropic efforts.

Jim Piccolo is a living testament to a self-made man whom, as an optimist, strongly exudes resilience, service to mankind, personal responsibility, and faith in humanity.

Along with Starlight, Mr. Piccolo is committed to helping families face, fight and cope with life-threatening childhood illnesses – struggles that often include traumatic emergency hospitalizations, painful treatments, mounting medical bills, abandoned jobs, stressed marriages, neglected children, and strained friendships. In the midst of an often harsh, unforgiving world, Starlight and Jim Piccolo help families of seriously ill children to muster up strength, courage and optimism to discover joy in each other and to celebrate the gift of another day.

“This touches my heart and the very depths of my soul,” said Jim Piccolo. “I’m humbled to have received such prestigious recognition, but I would like to accept this award on behalf of all of the Starlight families who are facing catastrophic challenges, for they are the first ones to ‘gift’ a smile and words of encouragement, and always selflessly offer a helping hand to others. I am inspired by their humanity.”

Piccolo looks forward to passing the “Jim Piccolo Humanitarian Award” on to other worthy individuals in recognition of their contributions to fostering the Starlight mission and spirit.

Read more here.

Congratulations to Jim on this incredible honor!

Nouveau Riche Home Team

Scottsdale, Arizona (December 9, 2009) – Since the debut of its on-site booth at the Nouveau Riche College in October 2008, The Frank Edward Piccolo Foundation (FEPF) has received tremendous support from the Nouveau Riche (NR) Community, enabling the foundation to support many national and local charities. FEPF is pleased to announce that, as of the October 2009 Nouveau Riche Real Estate Investment College, total funds raised by the NR Community during the five week-long College sessions exceeds $72k.

During each College, FEPF introduces new opportunities for the NR Community to help make a difference in the lives of others, whether giving of their time or monetary donations, and have fun while doing so. At the FEPF booth, NR Community Members can learn about the many worthy charities supported by the foundation and numerous volunteer opportunities available across the country. FEPF also hosts activities at its booth, ranging from silent auctions with notable prizes including a Muhammad Ali-autographed boxing glove, to spreading holiday cheer to local nursing homes through personal cards, to voting for “Nouveau Riche High” Prom King and Queen in support of a nationwide prom program for seriously ill and/or handicapped teens, to photo opportunities with rock legend Alice Cooper, to casting votes for “Teacher of the Year”, to an Easter baskets program to support our troops stationed overseas.

During the October 2008 and December 2008 Colleges, the NR Community contributed over $14k to FEPF, with the Nouveau Riche Corporation making a generous matching donation, for a grand total of $28k. These funds benefitted several organizations, including Help4Teenz, Judi’s House, Starlight Children’s Foundation, and Solid Rock Foundation. As the spirit of giving continued on to the April 2009 College, FEPF partnered up with NR and the Financial Advisors at the Peoria, Arizona, office of Smith Barney to support our troops through an Easter basket program. Many volunteers assembled Easter baskets filled with donated basket items and wrote personal messages to the soldiers. In April alone, the NR Community raised over $6k, with Nouveau Riche Corporation matching, for a grand total of $13k to support our troops and benefit Starlight Children’s Foundation and Solid Rock Foundation. In July of 2009, FEPF boasts of raising over $10k to support Starlight Children’s Foundation and $11k for Alice Cooper’s Solid Rock Foundation! Rock legend Alice Cooper paid a special visit to the NR Community during a social gathering where he personally autographed stone tiles, representing the cost of building one square foot of “The Rock” Teen Center, and offered participating donors the chance to take a photo with him. Most recently, during the October 2009 College, NR Community Members raised over $7k to support the Starlight Foundation/FEPF Prom Program (hosted by FEPF, NR and Starlight) for terminally and chronically ill teens. Plus, through a Silent Auction featuring Alice-Cooper-autographed items, Community Members raised $3k to support the Solid Rock Foundation’s “The Rock” Teen Center project. Community Members also had the golden opportunity to make a difference in their lives and others by purchasing the newly released book, Three Feet from Gold, by best-selling authors Sharon L. Lechter and Greg S. Reid, as well as tickets to the Three Feet from Gold event (hosted by The Napoleon Hill Foundation). Sharon Lechter generously awarded twenty-five percent of sales proceeds made during the College to benefit the FEPF’s efforts.

Thanks to the support of the NR Community and the contagious spirit of giving, FEPF is proving that “together, we CAN make a difference!”

To learn more about The Frank Edward Piccolo Foundation, its charities of choice, and ways for you to get involved and give back to others, please visit: www.FrankEdwardPiccolo.org

“Fear is a prosperity killer, and right now consumers here and around the world are feeling it (fear). Underneath this fear and lack of confidence, are massive levels of financial illiteracy.” – John Hope Bryant

A tremendous visionary, philanthropist, master entrepreneur and venture capitalist, Jim Piccolo is committed “to building the biggest, best company of entrepreneurs and independent individuals.”

Jim Piccolo’s Invitation to the White House…
In June 2008, Mr. Piccolo had the distinct honor of attending the first-ever White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives’ Compassion in Action Roundtable on Financial Literacy. Comprised of the Presidential Cabinet Members, top political leaders, chief educators and distinguished business people from around the country—including Anna Escobedo Cabral, Treasurer of the United States, and Charles Schwab, Chair of the President’s Council on Financial Literacy— this Roundtable focused on innovative and effective programs and partnerships that promote financial literacy among Americans of all ages. At the forefront of this developing “trend” to improve financial literacy: entrepreneurism. Piccolo says, “This discussion was the most amazing validation of the vision of Nouveau Riche…it’s time to rally around a cause called entrepreneurism. It’s time to build this country back up to the strength, as a nation, that it once was…”

Through Nouveau Riche, Piccolo infuses in others an understanding of more than how to become a successful business owner and how to invest in real estate; students and marketers learn the responsibility wealth brings. Piccolo’s Responsible Accumulation of Wealth (R.A.W.) system promotes individual success and financial literacy, making for stronger individuals who, in turn, can pay forward their success to help others.
Returning to Washington, D.C.….

Almost one year later, Jim Piccolo returned to Washington, D.C., for the vitally important HOPE Global Financial Literacy Summit, where over 700 delegates and economic leaders from 6 continents and more than 30 countries gathered. Headlining this Summit was U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, “helping America and the world to begin the process of effectively ‘turning the page,’ towards viable long- term, systemic and sustainable solutions to our economic problems.”

Jim Piccolo stated: “I’m honored to be invited to the Summit for the making of history for this great country, and I’m even more pleased that our policy makers are putting such great emphasis on the opinions of entrepreneurs…This proves, once again, my opinion that the greatest opportunity in America today is being your own boss and owning your own business…”
The June 17, 2009 Summit Keynote Speakers included FDIC Chair Sheila Bair and civil rights icon and HOPE global spokesman Ambassador Andrew Young, principal aide to the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., among other notable speakers and financial literacy drivers around the world. John Hope Bryant, Founder, Chairman and CEO, HOPE, who also serves as Vice Chairman of the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Literacy, remarked “…For the sake of our shared future global security, stability and growth, we should empower everyone with ’silver rights’ — financial literacy, or what we at Operation HOPE call ‘the language of money.’”

The tone of the 2009 Summit was “positive and upbeat,” commented Piccolo on discussions of what we can expect in the future. The general focus of the Summit was on youth, in particular, inner-city teens who are at the highest risk of high school dropout. The Summit honed in on the necessity to understand the psychological aspects of money, including self-esteem and self-worth, and the contributing factors like culture and environment. For many, money represents stability, opportunity and access, or lack thereof the aforementioned. Paramount to this discussion was the growing desire to establish a healthy mindset early on among our youth. The Financial Literacy and the Education System breakout session revealed that 66% of 22-28 year olds surveyed said that financial fitness is more important than physical fitness. As one delegate stated, “financial literacy is a survival skill.”

The Summit deliberated on the impact the “language of money” has on the world, reiterating that “…our relationship with money is a key driver to how we perceive and respond to the world around us. When you don’t know, you tend to fear…” As discussed in the Financial Literacy and Nurturing a Generation of Entrepreneurship breakout session, “There is a need for creating both a culture and a generation of entrepreneurs and self-employment projects and Education and Financial Literacy play a key role in the development of skills and behaviors that will allow future entrepreneurs to start and grow business in a responsible and inclusive manner.” Among some of the strongest advocates for this is Jim Piccolo, whose philosophy in business is that “it has to be profitable, ethical, and fun.” Piccolo dedicates his life to showing others the way to becoming financially literate, responsible entrepreneurs and philanthropists in charge of their own destiny and able to help create a stronger America now and for generations to come.

Nouveau Riche’s Impact on a Financially Literate Nation…
Fresh from the Global Financial Literacy Summit, Jim Piccolo spoke at a Special Edition Financial Literacy Workshop in the Washington Metro Area, for Nouveau Riche Community Members. There, Piccolo conveyed key information from the Summit, including the need to “leverage our skills and knowledge and have fun doing it. This reports directly to our self esteem and ultimately our financial plan.” Piccolo empowered Community Members, reaffirming that “what we at Nouveau Riche spend our time doing as entrepreneurs is establishing and tracking our goals and continuing to educate ourselves and others on how to learn core competencies.”

In addition to this workshop, Jim Piccolo actively teaches individuals across the country how to get control of their household spending through “Pic Your Mentor” Financial Literacy Workshops. His no-holds-barred style and exercises help individuals recognize their financial pitfalls and ways to make change. In winter of 2009, Jim Piccolo took his Pic Your Mentor program to a whole new level with one-day workshops sweeping the Nouveau Riche Community– from CA to WA to TX and beyond. As the program continues to move throughout the Community, thousands more will learn Piccolo’s system that can be implemented without any fancy software and managed by dedicating as little as 10 minutes a day. The result: individuals start building the financial future they desire.

As such, in December 2008, Nouveau Riche offered its first adult Financial Literacy class, taught by Nouveau Riche Instructor and creator of the first college-credited course on financial literacy in the country, Craig Cottrell. This class sheds new light on tried-and-true fundamentals of financial goal setting and achievement, examines the benefits of tighter expense controls, shares an overview of credit reports and scores, and reviews time-proven, wealth-building success principles.

Fostering a positive financial outlook for our youth, Nouveau Riche introduces its Teen Financial Literacy class beginning with the July 2009 College. Teens will have the opportunity to participate in this fun, interactive class and gain information on improving spending habits for years to come. The class will help teens understand financial literacy terminology, learn why it is important to live within their means, learn about various financial management vehicles, understand the nature and benefits of good credit, and compare the advantages and disadvantages of owning vs. leasing. Craig Cottrell and fellow Nouveau Riche Instructor, Phil Lechter, will teach teens how to take control of their finances and their future, starting now.

Nouveau Riche offers education for life and the opportunity to learn what Jim Piccolo considers to be “the best own-your-own-business opportunity in the U.S…” Just ask our Community Members…

Find out more about Nouveau Riche’s financial literacy education:
visit the website: http://www.nouveauriche.com/

SOURCES:
http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20090622005527&newsLang=en
http://summit09.operationhope.org/
http://www.johnhopebryant.com/john_hope_bryant_/financial_literacy/index.html
http://www.earnedmedia.org/wh0617.htm
http://www.verticalnews.com/print.php?articleID=1969408

Every ten minutes, another child or adult is expected to die from leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma. This statistic represents nearly 145 people each day, or six people every hour.

…Do YOU know someone who has been affected?

HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Team In Training (TNT), the world’s first, best and largest charity sports training program, is accepting donations for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). Your 100% tax deductible donation will allow promising therapies to be developed that greatly extend and increase the quality of life of those affected. The RESEARCH is KEY to finding a cure.

WHY TEAM IN TRAINING (TNT)?
Jim Piccolo’s longtime friend, Bruce Mapes, is participating in a 100-mile TNT bike ride and has set a goal of raising $20,000. The inspiration for this drive is another longtime friend of the Piccolos, John Klaus, who was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in October 1996.

IT’S EASY TO DONATE!
Go to http://www.brucemapes.com/, go to the “Make a Donation” section on the right side of the web page. You can make your tax deductible donation online—just click on “DONATE NOW.”

We want to see the power of the Nouveau Riche Community paying it forward! Please click on “Add Comment” and type “Nouveau Riche” in the message box. Let’s help Bruce reach his goal!

ABOUT LLS
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is the world’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services. They have invested more than $600 million in research since 1949 – over $71 million in 2008 – specifically targeting leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Last year alone, LLS made 6.3 million contacts with patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals. LLS is committed to finding cures for leukemia and related diseases and improving the lives of those affected by these diseases.

*Source: Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Program 1975-2005, National Cancer Institute, 2008.

To learn more about the Nouveau Riche Real Estate Investment College visit the corporate website: CLICK HERE!

PHOENIX (April 8, 2009) – Thanks to The Frank Edward Piccolo Foundation, more than 130 seriously ill children and family members had the chance Saturday to experience a “Best in the West Carnival” at MacDonald’s Ranch in Scottsdale. The Frank Edward Piccolo Foundation sponsored the Great EscapeTM, a Starlight Children’s Foundation program designed to give families with seriously ill children a chance to have some fun and recharge outside of the hospital environment, and meet others who are facing similar challenges.

Volunteers from The Frank Edward Piccolo Foundation and Nouveau Riche Corporation came from all over the United States to help with the event. Attendees participated in hayrides, square dancing, face painting, caricature drawings, pony rides along scenic trails (a first time for many children), races and games (including lasso roping, penny pitching, cowboy hat toss and stick-horse racing). The children were also entertained with live performances by Maricopa Mike, the magician; a strolling cowboy singer; and Earl Grey, the trick pony. In addition, the group enjoyed a cowboy cookout, snow cones and cotton candy.

“The daily emotional and financial struggles that come with caring for a sick child are often so overwhelming that the thought of leaving the house for a family event seems impossible,” says Jo Ann Yeo, community development officer for Starlight Children’s Foundation. “But Starlight understands what families go through when a child is sick, and the importance of breaking the cycle of depression and loneliness. With the help of sponsors like The Frank Edward Piccolo Foundation, we can provide these families with the chance to have fun together away from the hospital, so they can relax, regroup and return home with a renewed sense of strength and hope.”

“Working with Starlight Children’s Foundation has proven to be a wonderful way of reaching beyond our known limits of compassion and fulfilling children’s dreams of hope,” said Jim Piccolo, co-founder and chief executive officer of The Frank Edward Piccolo Foundation (named after his father) and Nouveau Riche Corporation. “It’s a privilege to work with Starlight Children’s Foundation and we are proud to partner with them on this event.”

Jim Piccolo founded the Frank Edward Piccolo Foundation in 2007, with the aspiration to join forces with other philanthropists who share a desire to make an impact in the community; supporting foundations and helping them meet their goals. The Foundation’s mission is to actively serve the family structure by raising and distributing funds in order to enhance the quality of life for families, or individual family members, so they may have a better today and a brighter future. Its primary focus is “youth” volunteerism and volunteer opportunities are continuously posted, designed to teach youth about social responsibility and the power of teamwork while encouraging action.

To learn more about the Frank Edward Piccolo Foundation, visit http://www.frankedwardpiccolo.org/. Starlight Children’s FoundationTM was founded in 1983 to help seriously ill children and their families cope with their pain, fear and isolation through entertainment, education and family activities. Starlight’s programs have been proven to distract children from their pain, help them better understand and manage their illnesses, and connect families facing similar challenges so that no one feels alone. Last year, Starlight Children’s Foundation Arizona touched the lives of more than 50,000 children and their families statewide.
To learn more about the magic of Starlight Children’s Foundation Arizona, or to volunteer, visit www.starlight.org/arizona or call (480) 280-5289.

Thanks to The Frank Edward Piccolo Foundation, more than 130 seriously ill children and family members had the chance April 4 to experience a “Best in the West Carnival” at MacDonald’s Ranch, 26540 N. Scottsdale Road. The Frank Edward Piccolo Foundation sponsored the Great Escape, a Starlight Children’s Foundation program designed to give families with seriously ill children a chance to have some fun and recharge outside of the hospital environment. They also meet others who are facing similar challenges.

Volunteers attended from all across the United States to help with the event. Attendees participated in hayrides, square dancing, face painting, caricature drawings, pony rides along scenic trails (a first time for many children), races and games (including lasso roping, penny pitching, cowboy hat toss and stick-horse racing).

The children were also entertained with live performances by Maricopa Mike, the magician; a strolling cowboy singer; and Earl Grey, the trick pony. In addition, the group enjoyed a cowboy cookout, snow cones and cotton candy.
“The daily emotional and financial struggles that come with caring for a sick child are often so overwhelming that the thought of leaving the house for a family event seems impossible,” said Jo Ann Yeo, community development officer for Starlight Children’s Foundation. “But Starlight understands what families go through when a child is sick, and the importance of breaking the cycle of depression and loneliness. With the help of sponsors like The Frank Edward Piccolo
Foundation, we can provide these families with the chance to have fun together away from the hospital, so they can relax, regroup and return home with a renewed sense of strength and hope.”

Visit www.starlight.org/arizona or call 480-280-5289.

The Frank Edward Piccolo Foundation sponsored the Great Escape, a Starlight Children’s Foundation program designed to give families with seriously ill children a chance to have some fun and recharge outside of the hospital environment while meeting others who are facing similar challenges. Volunteers from the Frank Edward Piccolo Foundation and Nouveau Riche Corporation came from all over the United States to help. Attendees participated in hayrides, square dancing, face painting, caricature drawings, pony rides along scenic trails, races, lasso roping, penny pitching, cowboy-hat toss and stick-horse racing. The children were also entertained with live performances by Maricopa Mike, the magician; a strolling cowboy singer; and Earl Grey, the trick pony. In addition, the group enjoyed a cowboy cookout, snow cones and cotton candy.

“The daily emotional and financial struggles that come with caring for a sick child are often so overwhelming that the thought of leaving the house for a family event seems impossible,” says Jo Ann Yeo, community development officer for Starlight Children’s Foundation. “But Starlight understands what families go through when a child is sick, and the importance of breaking the cycle of depression and loneliness.”

Jim Piccolo, co-founder and chief executive officer of the Frank Edward Piccolo Foundation and Nouveau Riche Corporation, said working with Starlight Children’s Foundation has proven to be a wonderful way to fulfill children’s dreams of hope.
For more about the Frank Edward Piccolo Foundation, visit: www.FrankEdwardPiccolo.org.
To learn more about the Starlight Children’s Foundation Arizona, or to volunteer, visit www.starlight.org/arizona or call (480) 280-5289

Click on the images to see the Full Size Original Article.

By Dave Casadei
Independent Newspapers
Scottsdale-based Starlight Children’s Foundation Arizona continued its generous ways March 21 after raising $32,000 during its annual Sparkling Starry Soirée. The 25-year-old foundation known for donating Fun Centers and PC Pals to area hospitals raised enough to not only fund one new Fun Center and two new PC Pals, but also provide money for families with seriously ill children. Fun Centers are mobile entertainment units containing a Sharp AQUOSTM LCD television, state-of-the-art Nintendo Wii with all the latest video games, as well as a DVD player with movies. PC Pal
laptops are a high-tech solution for hospitalized children to stay in touch with family, friends, and other patients as well as keep up with schoolwork. The event was conducted in a newly built, custom home in Silverleaf North Scottsdale and included entertainment by jazz artist Jay Soto. Guests mingled during a cocktail reception and light dinner by California Pizza Kitchen, which was followed by a silent auction featuring a variety of items including an Aerosmith-autographed electric guitar, a Wii MTV Rock Band set and a John Elway-autographed Broncos helmet.
Guests who donated $100 received a glass of champagne and a cubic zirconium stone. They also earned a raffle ticket for a one-carat diamond.

Adding to the festivities, custom jewelry and gems were displayed, a 2006 Yellow Ferrari 550 Maranello was showcased, and quality cigars were offered to anyone interested. Starlight also recognized Honorary Chairman
Jim Piccolo, founder of the Frank Edward Piccolo Foundation and president of Nouveau Riche Corporation, for his many contributions. Mr. Piccolo touched on the importance of helping young, sick children on behalf of current and future generations. “Working with Starlight Children’s Foundation has proven to be a wonderful way of reaching beyond our known limits of compassion and fulfilling children’s dreams of hope,” Mr. Piccolo said. “It’s a privilege to work with such an organization that is truly unique among others, and we are proud to help chair this event.”

A live auction wrapped up the evening featuring exclusive packages from a private jet getaway to Las Vegas to see Barry Manilow in concert to an Alice Cooper-autographed guitar and a backstage entertainment package with Jazz musician Dave Koz. Starlight Community Development Officer Jo Ann Yeo believes this year’s soirée may have outdone the foundation’s 2008 event. “Last year, Starlight Arizona touched the lives of more than 50,000 seriously ill children and their families statewide,” Ms. Yeo said. “We hope the success of this year’s event will help us reach even more. The money raised will help Starlight provide media and entertainment to brighten children’s lives through Fun Centers, PC Pals and Great Escapes.”

For 25 years, Starlight Children’s Foundation has been dedicated to helping seriously ill children and their families cope with their pain, fear and isolation through entertainment, education and family activities. Starlight’s programs have been proven to distract children from their pain, help them better understand and manage their illnesses, and connect families facing similar challenges so that no one feels alone. Call 480-280-5289 or visit www.starlight.org/arizona.