For Immediate Release
May 4, 2017
Contact: Katie Green, (202) 944-5111, [email protected]
College Students Support International Disaster Relief through PSAid Contest
WASHINGTON, DC (May 4, 2017) – USAID’s Center for International Disaster Information (USAID CIDI) is
pleased to announce the winners of the 12th annual Public Service Announcements for International
Disasters contest (PSAid).
The winning entries were chosen from a pool of submissions from nearly 140 college students across the
United States in the categories of broadcast, print and – for the first time – infographic PSAs.
The selected PSAs, which will be distributed through broadcast and print outlets nationwide, convey the
importance of practicing “Smart Compassion” and emphasize why monetary donations to relief
organizations are the most effective way to help people after disasters.
The 2017 PSAid winners are:
Broadcast
1. “Be the Change, Donate Cash” by Rachel Addington, Arizona State University
2. “Cash Fits All” by Bradley Parks, Shannon Sweatt, Megan Perkins and Raine Yip, The University
of Alabama
3. “Donate Effectively” by Emma DeVane and Emily Pina, Arizona State University
Print
1. “Cash Rebuilds” by Kaitlyn Olivier, Maria Castillo, Ludi Wang, Min Chen and Anna Kate Grosse,
Boston University
2. “Cash is Convertible” by Ana Hernandez, Arizona State University
3. “Cash Keeps Your Donations Fresh” by Jordan Fonseca, Emily Hadfield, Nick Albanese and
Daniel Arruda, The University of Rhode Island
Honorable Mentions: “Hope for Change” by Anne Miller, Loyola University Chicago, and “Cash is Best” by
Sydni Alaniz, Arizona State University
Infographic
1. “Make an Impact” by Lauren Schaecher, Arizona State University
2. “Donations are Nice, but Cash is Best” by Sacha Rady, Caroline Largey, Courtney Scarboro and
Megan Purcell, The University of Alabama
3. “Cash is Key” by Haley-Ann Simpson, Ashley Stults, Cameron Craig and Emily Baker, The
University of Alabama
Contest entries were judged by a panel of experts from the humanitarian and communications fields. This
year’s judges were Jonathan Adashek, Nissan Motor Corporation; Kevin Conroy, Global Giving; Nick Sugai,
the Ad Council; Gary Goldhammer, Group SJR; Deborah Willig, InterAction; Marcia Wong, the
International Committee of the Red Cross; and Keith Hempel, TV Access.
“For the past 12 years, the PSAid Contest has helped spread the message that monetary donations
through relief organizations provide the greatest help to disaster survivors,” said Barlin Ali, USAID CIDI
Diaspora and Donations Expert. “The winners of this year’s competition have done a masterful job of
creatively illustrating why ‘Cash is Best.’”
Current and past PSAid winners may be viewed on the competition website at www.PSAid.org.
About USAID CIDI
USAID CIDI was created in 1988 by the United States Agency for International Development Office of U.S.
Foreign Disaster Assistance to educate Americans about the best ways to help people affected by disasters
overseas. USAID CIDI provides individuals, groups, embassies, businesses and corporations with
information and guidance in support of maximally beneficial public support of international disaster relief
efforts. The organization works with other donations management stakeholders, and promotes activities
and donations to channel the public's energy and generosity in ways most helpful to beneficiaries. For
more information about USAID CIDI and helping international disaster survivors, please visit USAID CIDI
at www.cidi.org.
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