Bring Home the Bac-Os and Betty

Bring Home the Bac-Os and Betty Crocker Salute William W. 'Deacon' Balliew as America's Top Volunteer

National Volunteer Winner Founded "The Winner's Club" Retreat for

Disadvantaged Youth

CALHOUN, Ga., Nov. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Bac-Os and Betty Crocker have selected William W. "Deacon" Balliew, a retired juvenile probation officer, as the winner in Bring Home the Bac-Os, a search for America's Top Volunteer. Balliew was chosen from nearly 500 entries in this national volunteer recognition program.

Mr. Balliew, of Calhoun, Ga., was chosen for his ongoing efforts as founder and director of The Winner's Club, a retreat that encourages and inspires children and adults who face personal, physical, mental and behavioral challenges. In honor of the dedication of Deacon and his wife Inez, Betty Crocker and Bac-Os will make a $50,000 donation to The Winner's Club of Calhoun, Inc.

Using his own unique style of support, love, gentleness and persistent encouragement, Balliew has affected the lives of hundreds of children and adults. He believes that all individuals, in spite of their challenges, can be winners at something. To fulfill his prophecy, Deacon founded The Winner's Club over 30 years ago. Since then, the club has served over 500 "Winners" who face hurdles such as mental retardation, emotional disturbances, handicaps, diseases and domestic difficulties.

The Winner's Club, once housed in an old storage barn, today has a modern facility on the outskirts of Calhoun. Club volunteers arrange parties, group outings, fishing and hunting expeditions, cooking, gardening or history lessons, musical programs, family counseling, and community support activities. In addition, The Winner's Club rebuilds automobiles, refinishes furniture, hosts active Cub Scout and Boy Scout groups, and regularly offers tutoring for members.

Members don't stay overnight at the Winner's Club, although several beds are set up for crises. Other volunteers say that Deacon and Inez are on call at all times, and have been called occasionally during early morning hours to help a child in need.

Mr. Balliew was nominated by his friend Sam Thomas, general manager of WJTH radio in Calhoun. "Deacon Balliew has tried to communicate to all who come into his Winner's Club that there are no limitations in life, only missed opportunities," explained Thomas in his nomination form. "His job is to cut down the number of opportunities that these folks normally miss out on," Thomas added.

"We know that every day there are ordinary people who do extraordinary things for their communities," explained Brian Dilsheimer, spokesperson for Bring Home the Bac-Os. "We're delighted to be able to recognize the incredible contribution made to The Winner's Club by Deacon Balliew, and are pleased to support that organization in honor of his efforts.

"We hope that others will be inspired by Deacon's generosity and commitment," added Dilsheimer.

Balliew's nomination was selected from nearly 500 entries submitted to Bring Home the Bac-Os from all over the country. The panel of judges included Ken Kragen, producer of "We Are the World," Points of Light Foundation Director Robert Goodwin, Nancy Brown, Executive Director of the American Society for Directors of Volunteer Services (ASDVS), and others.

In addition to Deacon, 49 other nominees were selected as regional winners, and each earned a $1,000 donation for their volunteer cause.

Bring Home the Bac-Os: Betty Crocker Salutes America's Top Volunteers is a national volunteer recognition program that is donating $100,000 to causes supported by outstanding volunteers. 50 regional winners are receiving $1,000 donations to the volunteer cause that they support, and the national winner, Deacon Balliew, will receive a $50,000 donation for his organization.

For 30 years, Betty Crocker's Bac-Os has been America's favorite bacon-flavored topping, adding bacon flavor and texture to a variety of foods such as salads, baked potatoes and eggs. Bac-Os was recently reformulated for better bacon taste, while remaining free of saturated fat, cholesterol, preservatives, and meat and animal fat. Bac-Os are available in 4 oz. and 6 oz. Chips, and 4 oz. Bits, for those who prefer smaller bites of bacon flavor.

VNR/B-Roll available via satellite or tape. Transmission Thursday 11/5 at 2:00 p.m. CST and Friday 11/6 at 10:00 a.m. CST. Call 612-337-0087 to obtain coordinates or tape.

background music "Hope" by Margie Harrell