Today, Harlequin announced the three recipients of the annual Harlequin More Than Words Awards. More than 16,000 votes were cast and three outstanding women were selected by popular vote to receive the 2016 awards. Chosen from five finalists, Sarah Zematis, Julie Reiss and Jodi Lemacks’ commitment to giving back to their communities resonated with Harlequin readers, fans and authors.
“Each year we are impressed by the initiative and passion that so many amazing women are channeling back into their communities,” said Loriana Sacilotto, EVP of Global Publishing. “We are thrilled to be celebrating the incredible work and dedication that Sarah, Julie and Jodi do for their respective charities.”
Sarah Zematis, nominated by bestselling author Cara Lockwood, helps raise money for cancer research through St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a private funder of pediatric cancer research based out of Monrovia, California; Julie Reiss, put forward by New York Times bestselling author Heather Gudenkauf, founded Research For The Kids, a nonprofit that raises money for pediatric cancer brain tumor research and heart defect research in Dubuque, Iowa; and Jodi Lemacks, nominated by Harlequin Medicals authorSusan Carlisle, is national program director of Mended Little Hearts, an organization based in Dallas, Texas, that supports families of children with congenital heart defects.
Each recipient will receive a $15,000 donation to their respective charities and will be featured in a charity spotlight on Harlequin’s blog at HarlequinBlog.com.
For more information about the winners and the Harlequin More Than Words program visithttp://www.harlequinmorethanwords.com.