June, 2009 - AFAC Presents Award to Young Author

Reading, PA - Nick Schaeffer, a Conrad Weiser senior and author of "Living Beyond a Death Sentence", has received the prestigious "Author for a Cause" Award at the Conrad Weiser High School, Robesonia, PA, Senior Celebration. The award included a framed Certificate of Merit, cash award, and invitation to participate in a future "Author for a Cause" book signing.

Written in the third person, "Living Beyond a Death Sentence" tracks Nick's long recovery from severe injuries and the devastating loss of his mother in a car crash in Ocean City, Maryland, in June of 2002 when he was 13 years old. The 16 page book, in which Nick reveals himself to be the main character in the last sentence, was finished and published this year. It is an inspirational story that he hopes will help others who have suffered a loss or hardship to learn
to enjoy each day. Additionally Nick has used his experiences by working with special needs children during his senior year to teach them how to overcome physical limitations as he has. He plans to spend the next year becoming certified as a child
development associate.

T.K. Marion, author of the Civil War adventure thriller "Kill the
Devil" and President/CEO of Thirteen Stars Foundation of which "Author for a Cause" is a division, presented the award. He was assisted by celebrated children's author/illustrator, Carol J. Haile, a participant in numerous "Author for a Cause" book signings.

Thirteen Stars Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit foundation formed to assist people with cystic fibrosis and the foundation presented its first scholarship in 2008. Author for a Cause expands Thirteen Stars Foundation's reach into the community by raising funds for other important causes including education, literacy, wounded war veterans and more. The Author's Award is presented to worthy young authors to raise public awareness of their talent. All initiatives of Author for a Cause are funded exclusively from a portion of Marion's book royalties.