Congratulations to America’s Favorite Mom!

<< America’s Favorite Mom update | Sarah Jessica Parker’s flower and butterfly hat: Thumbs up or down? >>

Congratulations to America’s Favorite Mom!

May 12, 2008

Patti Patton-Bader, with bouquet, stands with Donny and Marie Osmond as well as runners-up (from left) Stacy Horn Koch, Betty Yerkes, Gwendolyn Beauchamp and Nora Leon.

Patti Patton-Bader was named “America’s Favorite Mom” last night on NBC! Donny and Marie Osmond hosted the Mother’s Day special that highlighted a whole lot of terrific women. Bader got the most votes at NBC.com after her appearance on the “Today” show last week.

In addition to being a mother of two sons who serve in the military, Bader is the founder and CEO of “Soldier’s Angels,” a volunteer organization that sends care packages to soldiers and provides support services for their families.

“I’m incredibly fortunate to know so many heroes in my life,” said Bader. “Whether they are the troops who serve our country or the amazing mothers here on this ‘America’s Favorite Mom’ program, I am honored to be in the presence of such inspirational people and also am humbled to know that America thinks the same of me.”

With the $250,000 grand prize, Bader says she’ll expand her operation and plans to build a ranch where soldiers can relax with their family when they return from duty.

Teleflora also gave Bader a diamond-encrusted 18K heart-shaped pendant and a year’s worth of flower arrangements. Bader received a Redbook “Love Your Life” all-expense paid trip to New York City, including a makeover and spa treatment, courtesy of Redbook Magazine; a family vacation to St. Lucia, courtesy of Coconut Bay; and an all-new General Electric kitchen and laundry appliances. She was selected from a pool of about 20,000 candidates.

Based on the highest percentage of votes in their individual categories, the runners-up were:
• Working Mom – Stacy Horn Koch, New Orleans, LA
• Single Mom – Betty Yerkes, Denville, NJ
• Adopting Mom – Nora Leon, Haiti
• Chairman of Everything Mom – Gwendolyn Beauchamp, Lancaster, TX

AFM winners

From left: Gwendolyn Beauchamp, grand-prize winner Patti Patton-Bader, Betty Yerkes, Stacy Horn Koch and Nora Leon.

Teleflora gave the runners-up $25,000, a gold pendant, a year’s worth of Teleflora flower arrangements and a General Electric washer and dryer. The remaining 10 semi-finalists each received $10,000 from Teleflora.

“For the 100th anniversary of Mother’s Day, Teleflora wanted to go above and beyond how America traditionally celebrates motherhood on this special occasion,” said Lynda Resnick, chairman of Teleflora. “The ‘America’s Favorite Mom’ program provided a national platform for us to acknowledge and honor the incredible contributions and sacrifices mothers make everyday in their role in and outside the home.”

Doug Vaughan, an NBC Entertainment executive, said, “For us, it was really exciting to be part of a multi-media event where an enthusiastic and interactive community came together in celebration of all these amazing moms.”

The “Teleflora Presents America’s Favorite Mom” special featured exclusive performances by Donny and Marie Osmond and Sony/Epic Artists The D.E.Y. Presidential candidates Hillary Rodham Clinton, John McCain and Barack Obama as well as celebrities Christina Aguilera, Alicia Keys, Steve Carell and Tony Hawk made cameo appearances to honor moms.

2211fde1-bf89-4340-9f0d-a433bfcf5e43|0|.0

Comments

Kathleen McCallum | Reply
May 12, 2008

I want to let you know how much I enjoyed
the progrem "America's Favorite Mom", what a
wonderful thing for Teleflora to sponsor.
When I have the next opportunity to order
flowers for someone special, you can be sure
it will be thru a Teleflora agent.

Also, what a nice thing to be able to talk
about "flowers!"

K.McCallum

Nora Léon | Reply
May 23, 2008

Thank you Teleflora for a wonderful event to not only honor mothers, but to let people know about the needs of the children in Haiti!!!

You have given me a lifetime of memories! I am touched by your generosity and display of love and compassion!

THANK YOU! Nora Léon