LANSING – At one of the largest annual citizen gatherings at the state Capitol, Jennifer Rees of Kent County’s Great Start Parent Coalition today was named the state’s top “Fierce Heart” for young children by the Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC).

The award is given annually by ECIC - a public/private initiative working to restructure Michigan’s investment in children from birth to five through state and local community efforts – at its signature Star Power event on the steps and lawn of the Capitol. Forty three hundred parents, children and community leaders attended this year’s event from all over Michigan.

The award was first presented in 2010 to honor individuals and organizations that show unwavering dedication to the Great Start vision and take relentless action at the national, state and /or local levels to bring that vision to reality.

Rees was chosen for the award from among the 9,000 parents statewide who are members of local Great Start Parent Coalitions, which work to educate parents, community leaders and lawmakers about the profound impact that supports like prenatal care, preschool and quality child care have on the school and life success of children.

“I’m proud of Jennifer and appreciate all she does for children,” said State Representative Brandon Dillon, (D-Grand Rapids). “The children of Kent County are fortunate to have someone like her looking out for them.”

“Jennifer has been a loyal member of our coalition since the beginning,” said Karen Lay, parent liaison for the Kent County Great Start Coalition. “She has volunteered at many community events to help us raise awareness about our group and educate other parents in the community.”

Rees said she was proud to win the award.

“It's hard to measure the impact of advocacy sometimes. I am standing on the shoulders of giants and I always maintain hope that someone will be able to build on what we are doing today. Being recognized like this is a rare and extremely gratifying thing.”

Lay said Rees has been a strong supporter of one of the coalition’s primary outreach events, an annual diaper drive. For the event, which provides diapers to low-income parents, Rees arranged the participation of her church and the Grand Rapids Griffins hockey team, which donated money to the cause.

Rees said she approaches outreach as a triangle.

“One corner is the legislators,” she said. “The more they are engaged with our work, the more they will come to understand its importance. The next corner is the children. At Star Power, I get teary-eyed every time because I think here are thousands of kids who (now) won't be afraid to write a letter, or make a phone call, or ask their representatives to do the right thing. They will never question whether or not they are part of the process. The third corner is the parents. If I can do something that inspires a parent to understand their role in the future of everyone, not just of their own children, I am beyond excited.”

“Jennifer has been a true asset to our coalition,” Lay said. “We are so grateful for all that she does in our community for early childhood and families.”

At the same Lansing ceremony, the Ionia County Great Start Parent Coalition won a Fierce Heart award for outstanding advocacy by an organization.