Author, CEO and Founder of Dreamcatchers for Abused Children Sandra Dawn Potter has been nominated for the Rare Life Award 2011.
The Rare Life Award is sponsored by Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey, who has won its share of honors and awards, and now is honoring those who share a passion for excellence with The Rare Life Award.
Some nominees are heroic, show courage, leadership, dedication, devotion, character, survival skills and inspire others to make a difference. Some nominees make an impact globally and others in their own little corner of the world, but all nominees have one thing in common. They lead rare lives.
Potter was nominated by Donna Kshir. Kshir wrote, “My best friend Sandra Dawn Potter is a true hero. She took one of the most horrific and traumatic situations of her life and turned it into something positive.
“I met Sandra three years ago. She was different than any other person I have ever met. For such a small framed woman, she had this will, drive and determination powerful enough to move mountains.
“Sandra and I had several similarities and we immediately connected on many levels, but with all the similarities I was about to learn a difference between us that would forever change my life.
“I will never forget the day Sandra confided in me that she took a stand against child abuse after her daughter’s innocence was stolen. Sandra came from a small town and her family provided care for her daughter. She felt comfortable knowing her child would be safe, as she struggled working the night shift.
“Their lives were permanently changed when Sandra walked-in and caught her stepfather molesting her daughter.
“On the way to the police station Sandra’s young daughter asked why she was crying. Sandra responded, Mommy’s just sad right now. It was then her baby girl placed her tiny hands on Sandra’s face and said, Mom, don’t cry, it’s okay…we were just playing our secret game. It was then Sandra’s heart sank! She wanted to die.
It was then Sandra questioned herself. She was no longer one of those parents who thought this type of thing would “never happen to me.”
“Sandra felt every emotion possible and wanted this man to pay for his actions. He confessed to molesting her daughter for three years. He was prosecuted and sentenced to 15 years in jail, but to a mother whose daughter’s innocence was stolen, it wasn’t enough.
“Sandra is convinced if she had known then, what she knows now, she would have seen the signs and she would have known something was wrong. She would have been able to stop the abuse, before it progressed.
“This man’s wrongful actions cost Sandra everything, but she refused to compromise her daughter or remain silent. It was then Sandra knew she needed to help children- those without a voice. Determined to help children without a voice, Sandra took a stand and became that voice, creating Dreamcatchers for Abused Children.
“Dreamcatchers promotes child abuse awareness by educating the public on the signs, symptoms, statistics, prevention and recovery.
“Sandra spends twelve hours a day answering letters, taking phone calls and helping victims seeking recovery, all in hopes of educating just one more person. She believes for each person educated, there is a great possibility that another child will not have to suffer.
“No, Sandra is not a fire fighter or a police woman, and she has never gone to war, but she fights a battle everyday called child abuse, and more importantly, she is saving lives.
“I am proud and blessed to call Sandra a friend. I am truly inspired by her dedication.”
Award winners will receive a reception in their honor and a $10,000 donation will be made to the charity of their choice.
Voting is currently held online at: http://www.eaglerarelife.com . The process is quite simple, click on Potter’s name or photograph, go to the bottom of the page and click “Vote Now.” Voting begins today and is held until January 10, 2010. Participants can vote one time per day for their favorite nominee.
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