SAN DIEGO, July 20, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Bubbly nine year old Emily Zagorski has just been named "America's Funnest Kid of the Year" after an extensive nationwide search cosponsored by LoLo (toy) Company and the Laughter Heals Foundation. The annual outreach project spotlights FUNtastic children as positive role models. However, the Plano, Texas resident is anything but plain! Emily courageously battles the pains of Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA) with a "gargantuan" (one of her favorite words) amount of laughter, love, and activism! She is best known within her community and nationwide for creating a character, "Special Agent Emily" for the Absolutely Mindy Show heard on Satellite Radio. Even that success came from her wonderful demeanor. She started calling radio stations to tell them jokes as a way of keeping cheerful while lying ill in bed for days.
Emily says the best advice she can give other kids is to never be limited to what your body or mind can do, because you always have your imagination and sense of humor. Melinda Hohmann, host at XMKiDS who submitted the nomination says, "Emily touches the heart of everyone she meets and has proven to many that laughter really does heal!"
Emily impacts people of all ages. One teacher said Emily is the most entertaining student she has ever had. A theatre director said Emily squeezes laughter out of any line. Emily's six-year old sister, Anna, is her biggest fan. And, the Absolutely Mindy Show fan Web site receives emails daily thanking Emily. Even Emily's school benefits from her fun attitude. This year, Centennial Elementary focused on teaching SAT words as a way to improve literacy and critical thinking. In response, Emily took one word, "gargantuan," and made it the year-long subject of humor for her class.
Adding a lightheartedness to people's lives is one of her greatest gifts. Last year she went door to door performing a wacky skit to collect canned food for hurricane victims.
In honor of Emily, the LoLo Company will make a donation to the Disaster Relief Fund through the Red Cross. Fifty cents per LoLo game ordered through its Web site, between now and the end of August 2005, will be donated to aide those affected by Hurricane Emily.
The spunky fourth grader will now reign as "the 2005 America's Funnest Kid" and an ambassador of fun. She'll help inspire kids of all ages across the United States to bring more joy and laughter to their communities.
Numerous nominations from kids throughout the United States were received. Those who entered the second-annual contest submitted a funny self-portrait photo, essay, and letter of recommendation. Finalists submitted a skit on video. The four other FUNtastic finalists included: Sam Lyons, Laura Gafner, Kaley Jenkins and Jacob Fast, all of California.
"It warmed out hearts to receive entries from so many creative kids that really know how to brighten up the world," shared LoLo's Bucket Blast inventor, Julie Stone.
Judges included: Sharon Bay, publisher/editor in chief of San Diego Family Magazine; Craig Shoemaker, comedian and founder of Laughter Heals Foundation; David Evans, school psychologist; Mary Ann King, former TV host of Romper Room; Stevanne Auerbach, known as Dr. Toy; and Maria Weiskott, editor in chief of Playthings Magazine.
According to LoLo President, Charlie Paul, the company began the "America's Funnest Kid" annual award to promote lighthearted fun in the world and to remind everyone to focus on the joy kids bring to the community.
Youth organizations and schools are encouraged to nominate the funnest kids they know. Entry forms and rules for the 2006 contest will be available by year's end.
LoLo is the maker of numerous award-winning family games such as the 15-games in one Bucket Blast, Pool Pirates, and Don't Make Me Laugh. Newest games include: You're It, Run Around Fractions, and It Dahgan.
For more information about the contest and LoLo, go to the company's Web site at www.lolofun.com.
EDITOR NOTE: PHOTO OF EMILY ZAGORSKI AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.