(Milwaukee) – Governor David M. Beasley today presented Lisa Cooper Van Riper with the National Governors’ Association Award for Distinguished Service for the outstanding contribution she makes to South Carolina as executive director of the Putting Families First Foundation.
 “Lisa knows that hope changes lives. Through her efforts, communities throughout South Carolina are reconnecting with people who need help,” Governor Beasley said. “On behalf of all South Carolinians, I want to thank Lisa and tell her that we are indeed proud of her.”
 The Governor presented the award today during the summer meeting of the National Governors’ Association in Milwaukee.
 Mrs. Van Riper was one of three people nationwide to get the award in the Private Citizen category. Five others were also honored – three in the State Official category and two in the Distinguished Service In the Arts category.
 The NGA award recognizes those who have made outstanding contributions to state government and their communities. Each governor nominated one individual from his or her state to be considered for the award.
 In 1996, Mrs. Van Riper established The Putting Families First Foundation, a nonprofit organization intended to be a private adjunct to welfare reform. The Foundation, started with seed money left over from Governor Beasley’s inaugural committee, encourages religious and civic organizations to adopt a welfare family and help that family move toward self-sufficiency.
 The foundation has helped engineer the “adoption” of 160 families and has started statewide partnerships with five major religious denominations.
 In nominating Mrs. Van Riper, Governor Beasley told the NGA that her foundation is “changing the way the private sector views its responsibility for welfare.” The Putting Families First Foundation works closely with the Department of Social Services, which is part of the Governor’s Cabinet, as well as businesses, faith-based organizations and community agencies.
 “Through the Foundation, Lisa has stimulated statewide change that is reaching beyond South Carolina. Her exemplary contribution of public service is making state government more responsive,” the Governor said in his nomination letter.