NEWARK, N.J. - The Prudential Foundation and Prudential Financial recently provided $466,250 in Prudential CARES Volunteer Grants to 603 nonprofit organizations worldwide.

The Prudential CARES Volunteer Grants program recognizes individual and team volunteers based on a minimum of 40 hours of volunteer service per individual. Grants range from $250 to $5,000 for each award winner's charitable organization.

 The following Maricopa County residents were presented with an award to pass along to their chosen charity.

$5,000 Winner

Retired Prudential Financial employee Peter L. Maland of Sun City was a 2008 Prudential CARES Volunteer Grants recipient for $5,000, benefiting St. Vincent De Paul, Diocese of Phoenix. Maland has served the Diocese for more than two decades and provided 626 hours of service in 2007. As a volunteer, he helps with food preparation for 4,000 meals a day distributed to those in need within the community. Maland also frequently serves as a speaker to new employees at orientations and open house events and serves on the board for the St. Mary's/Westside Food Bank Alliance, the largest food bank in the world.

"The society's mission is to serve the less fortunate with dignity and humble respect, and Peter exemplifies this quality in all that he does, expecting nothing in return," said Stephen J. Zabilski, executive director of The Society of St. Vincent de Paul - Phoenix. "Peter always functions as a sincere and caring friend; standing as a role model for volunteers, employees, staff and clients alike. His compassion is genuine and deep, his support strengthening and his leadership forthright; a blessing in whatever capacity he serves."

The mission of the Diocese is to serve the poor and homeless and to restore lives to productivity and health.

$1,000 Winners

Margaret A. Bohnert of Scottsdale, an associate manager for Prudential Insurance, was awarded a Prudential CARES Volunteer Grants award benefiting the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Arizona Chapter for the amount of $1,000. Bohnert has served as a volunteer to the Society for 13 years and dedicated 60 hours of service in 2007. As a volunteer, she organized the annual MS Walk on the Wild Side to raise funds for Multiple Sclerosis research. As team captain, she shared communications with her team and coordinated donations. In addition, she performed several administrative and logistical tasks to ensure the event was a financial success raising a total of $559,414. This mission of the Society is to end the devastating effects of multiple sclerosis.

James Dial of Phoenix, a financial planner for Prudential Financial, received a 2008 Prudential CARES Volunteer Grants Award for $1,000 to benefit the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association Inc., Desert Southwest Chapter. Dial has served the Association for 10 years and provided 60 service hours in 2007. As a volunteer, Dial served on the regional leadership council and co-chaired the development committee. The Association's mission is to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Dial has participated in several fundraising initiatives

Jeanne Hlatky of Phoenix, a financial analyst for Prudential Financial, received a 2008 Prudential CARES Volunteer Grants Award for $1,000 to benefit Phoenix Guide Dog Raisers Inc. Hlatky has served the organization for nine years and dedicated 730 hours of service in 2007 furthering their mission to raise, socialize and train future guide dogs for blind or visually impaired people. As a volunteer, Hlatky has successfully trained seven guide dogs and is currently working with her eighth puppy.

Melissa Micale of Phoenix, an accounting associate for Prudential Financial, received a 2008 Prudential CARES Volunteer Grants Award for $1,000 to benefit the American National Red Cross, Grand Canyon Chapter. Micale has served the organization for nearly three years and dedicated 121 service hours in 2007. As a volunteer, Micale is a coordinator on a disaster action team that responds to disasters in the local area. She also acts as a public information officer for the Canyon chapter. The mission of the American Red Cross is to provide relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent and prepare for emergencies.

Kerry Olney of Phoenix, an associate manager of operations for Prudential Financial, was awarded a 2008 Prudential CARES Volunteer Grants Award for $1,000 to benefit National History Day, Arizona. Olney has served the organization for eight years and dedicated 50 hours of service in 2007. During that year she participated in the logistical coordination of regional and state contests and mentored entrants. Her contributions helped further the mission of National History Day - to engage students in historical topics.

Lisa Tortelli of Peoria, a senior accounting associate for Prudential Financial, received a 2008 Prudential CARES Volunteer Grants Award for $1,000 benefiting Resolve Incorporated, Arizona Chapter. Tortelli has served the organization for seven years and dedicated 70 hours in 2007. As a volunteer, Tortelli answers the organization's help line providing information and assistance, and attends monthly support groups. She also assists with fundraising efforts so the organization can provide scholarships to couples that cannot afford infertility treatments. The mission of Resolve Incorporated is to educate and help couples struggling with infertility.

$250 Winners

Sandra Eichelberger of Phoenix, an insurance agent for Prudential Financial, was awarded a 2008 Prudential CARES Volunteer Grants Award for the amount of $250 to benefit Junior Achievement of Arizona. Eichelberger has served the organization for five years and was named "Volunteer of the Year" in 2007. That year she dedicated nearly 90 hours to the JA Biz Town program, which teaches and provides underprivileged children a "hands-on" experience on how to run a business. The mission of Junior Achievement is to be recognized as the premier organization for inspiring and preparing young people to become successful, contributing members of the global society and for uniting people of all nations around the common goals of creating jobs, building stable economies and providing higher standards of living.

Retired Prudential Financial employee, Linda M. Grubbs of Mesa was awarded a 2008 Prudential CARES Volunteer Grants Award for $250 to benefit the Service Corps of Retired Executives Association, East Valley Score. Grubbs has served the Association for four years, dedicating 336 volunteer hours in 2007 as a client counselor and chairman. The mission of the Association is to provide resources and expertise to maximize the success of existing and emerging small businesses.

Evelyn Haberer, a retired Prudential Financial employee, of Scottsdale, was awarded a 2008 Prudential CARES Volunteer Grants award for $250, benefiting Concerned Citizens for Community Health. Harber has served the organization for the past four years, dedicating 224 hours 2007 as a volunteer .She furthered the organization's mission to assist the working poor and elderly of Scottsdale. Harber spent her service hours at the clothing bank organizing, sorting and distributing donations. She also provided her services to their annual back to school and adopt-a-family program.

Macedaire "Missy" Jones of Surprise, a Prudential Financial relocation counselor, was awarded a 2008 Prudential CARES Volunteer Grants Award for $250, benefiting the Arizona Western Riding Club. Jones has dedicated five years to the Club and provided 150 hours of service in 2007. She assisted with lesson instruction and helped students with their interpersonal skills through exposure to various community events. The Arizona Western Riding Club is a community-based organization dedicated to the education and development of at-risk, disadvantaged youth in the art and enjoyment of equestrian activities and strives to educate the community regarding the customs and historical charters of the Old West.

Deborah Pineda of Mesa, a human resources analyst for Prudential Financial, received a 2008 Prudential Cares Volunteer Grants Award for $250 to benefit the Valley Christian High School Football Program. In 2007, Pineda served her first year with the organization, providing 100 hours of service. As a volunteer, Deborah aided the program with its fundraising initiatives and created an inventory tracking system to manage inventory of fundraising merchandise sold at games. The mission of Valley Christian High School is to train and develop attributes and characteristics in their athletes that will develop strong standards and ideals.

Tania Snyder of Glendale,  a senior marketing analyst for Prudential Financial, was awarded a 2008 Prudential CARES Volunteer Grants Award for $250 to benefit Arrowhead Little League Inc. In 2007, Snyder served her fourth year with the League, volunteering 122 hours. As team mom, Snyder ordered uniforms, scheduled snacks and planned the end-of-season party. She also set up and administered two Web sites for the players and parents to use to plan practices, games, hotel reservations, review stats and recap games. Snyder also assisted with fundraising initiatives to provide money for new uniforms. The mission of Little League is to promote, develop, supervise and voluntarily assist in all lawful ways, the interest of participants.

Bonnie Sposato of Scottsdale, an advertising and creative services project manager for Prudential Financial received a 2008 Prudential CARES Volunteer Grants Award benefiting Canine Companions for Independence for the amount of $250. As a puppy trainer for seven years, Sposato dedicates her life, nearly 24 hours a day, seven days a week to further the mission of the organization. Canine Companions for Independence provides highly-trained assistance dogs to children and adults with disabilities.

Retired Prudential Financial employee, Dwight E. Steiner, of Phoenix, was awarded a 2008 Prudential CARES Volunteer Grants Award for $250, benefiting St. Mary's Food Bank Alliance. Since 1989, Steiner has volunteered with the Alliance, serving 60 hours in 2007. As a volunteer, Steiner serves on the board and investment committee. He also provides hands-on work at the bank by packaging and sorting food for distribution. The mission of the Alliance is to promote the elimination of hunger through the gathering and distribution of food while encouraging self-sufficiency through advocacy and education.