Isabella Family Of Pennsylvania Named Levi Strauss Signature� All-american Soap Box Derby 'Family Of The Year'

Title sponsor of the All-American Soap Box Derby (AASBD), the Levi Strauss Signature� brand, announced today that the Isabella family of Hatfield, Pa., is being named the 2007 Levi Strauss Signature National Family of the Year. In its third year, the Levi Strauss Signature Family of the Year program honors derby families across the country at the state, regional and national levels. Families are nominated by local Soap Box Derby Directors that exemplify the shared core values of both the brand and the AASBD including teamwork, dedication, spirit of competition, perseverance and good sportsmanship. After being selected to represent Pennsylvania in the nationwide search for the Levi Strauss Signature Family of the Year, the Isabella family was chosen by an executive panel comprised of officials from AASBD and the Levi Strauss Signature brand for its commitment and continued contributions to the Souderton, Pa., Soap Box Derby chapter. The Isabella family became involved with Soap Box Derby in 2000 when their eldest daughter took up racing. Nominated by Jeffery Kehr, director of the Souderton, Pa., Soap Box Derby chapter, the Isabella family supports the local derby chapter by volunteering on race day, and always lending a hand to new racers. Tony (father) is always willing to do whatever it takes to ensure that all participants have a pleasant racing experience while Michelle (mother) supports local soap box derby events helping out any way she can. Their daughter, Tarah (17), takes the time to encourage new racers and supports racers to not give up and stick with the derby. The entire family has continued being active members in their local derby community even after the passing of their youngest daughter, Courtney, in 2005. This is the last year Tarah will be racing, and she is doing so in memory of her younger sister. Courtney raced from 2003 to 2005 in the stock division and enjoyed every moment spent with her family and derby friends. In his nomination of the Isabella family, Kehr described Courtney as having a radiant smile and possessing a gracious and sincere attitude that was shared with all whether she won or lost a race. These qualities are evident in all members of the Isabella family and are the cornerstones of their collective positive attitude. "The Levi Strauss Signature brand is proud to honor the Isabella family as the 2007 Family of the Year. The Isabella's dedication to racing and support of other derby families is inspiring," said Aaron Carpenter, vice president of marketing for the Levi Strauss Signature brand. "All of the families nominated in this year's program deserve recognition and our sincerest thanks as their contributions to derby racing have made it a great family tradition." The other regional finalists included: the Pond family (Altamonte Springs, Fla.), the Garren family (Hiram, Ga.), the Reichert family (Quincy, Ill.), the Rayle family (Mechansville, Md.), the Connelly family (Rochester, N.Y.), the Jones family (Martins Ferry, Ohio), the McCaw family (Salem, Ore.), the Turney family (Sparta, Tenn.), the Simpson family (Fredericksburg, Va.), the Wright family (Poulsbo, Wash.) and the Taylor family (Charleston, W.Va.) Each regional finalist family received a full wardrobe from Levi Strauss Signature and was eligible for the national Family of the Year honor. The national Family of the Year received an all expense paid trip to the 70th All-American Soap Box Derby Championship presented by the Levi Strauss Signature brand in Akron, Ohio where they were honored during the Championship activities. "Being able to honor families within the soap box derby community through the Levi Strauss Signature Family of the Year program has been a tremendous," said Jim Huntsman, CEO of the All-American Soap Box Derby. "We are thankful for all of the families recognized by the program because it is dedication and passion like theirs that has sustained the All-American Soap Box Derby for 70 years." About The Levi Strauss Signature� Brand With a rich heritage of quality jeanswear and casual clothing, Levi Strauss & Co. developed the Levi Strauss Signature� brand. The Levi Strauss Signature brand gives value-conscious consumers access to high-quality and fashionable clothing from a company and name they trust. The line includes a complete collection of clothing and accessories for all members of the family and is available at Wal-Mart, Target, and Kmart stores nationwide. The Levi Strauss Signature brand has been the title sponsor of the All-American Soap Box Derby and the Family of the Year program since 2005. About the All-American Soap Box Derby Akron, Ohio-headquartered All-American Soap Box Derby, founded in 1933, is one of the most established grassroots youth and family organizations in the United States. The Soap Box Derby sanctions races year round in 170 cites and communities in the United States and overseas. The annual championship, the All-American Soap Box Derby presented by Levi Strauss Signature�, is held each July at Derby Downs in Akron. In the past 10 years, overall race participation (ages 8-17) has doubled, with approximately 45 percent being girls. The All-American Soap Box Derby actively promotes the core values of teamwork, the spirit of competition, perseverance and an emphasis on family. Contact: Jess Hunter / Nealie Stufflet Taylor (704) 548-8556 [email protected] [email protected]

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