Charities chosen for awards competition

COAST CITIES — Five area charities have qualified for the StayClassy awards, including Fresh Start Surgical Gifts, Jeans 4 Justice, Kids for Peace, Puppy Prodigies and Rock to Stop Violence.
StayClassy has opened voting to the public for its third annual Classy awards. Through Aug. 26, anyone can visit classyawards.org to vote for the Top 25 finalist of his or her choice. Visitors can cast one vote in each of the 12 different Classy awards categories.
To vote, visit:


— Charity of the Year North County-area finalist: Fresh Start Surgical Gifts – Vote at stayclassy.org/stories/fresh-start-surgical-gifts-grants-children-the-gift-of-a-fresh-start-in-life.

— Small Charity of the Year North County-area finalist: Kids for Peace – Vote at stayclassy.org/stories/kids-for-peace-cultivates-kindness-respect-and-unity-–-grows-to-100-chapters-worldwide.
— Most Effective Awareness Campaign North County-area finalist: Jeans 4 Justice – Vote at stayclassy.org/stories/jeans4justice-conscious-co-op-makes-a-statement-with-wearable-art.
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Most Effective Use of Social Media North County-area finalist: Puppy Prodigies – Vote at stayclassy.org/stories/judy-fridono-creates-surfice-dog-project-with-help-from-pup-ricochet.
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New Nonprofit of the Year North County-area finalist: Rock to Stop Violence – Vote at stayclassy.org/stories/charity-launches-rock-n-roll-movement-against-violence-and-abuse-through-music-art-and-fashion.
During early August, a panel of judges narrowed a pool of hundreds of nominees down to the Top 25 in each category. The public vote will now determine the Top 10 finalists in each category and those finalists will be announced Aug. 30.
The three finalists in each category will win free flights to San Diego for the Awards Ceremony Sept. 17. In partnership with Qualcomm Incorporated and Bridgepoint Education, more than $150,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded to support the charitable efforts of the 12 National Classy Awards winners.
Tickets start at $50 and can be purchased online at classyawards.org. Based in San Diego tayClassy helps organizations to raise funds and manage donor relationships online.