UFI News Release
For Immediate Release: July 26, 2006
Contact: Dennis Durband, (480) 632-5450
Soelbergs Win National Parents Of The Year Honor
MESA -- Carol Soelberg, president of United Families International's Arizona chapter, and her husband Glade have been selected by the Parents Day Council as the 2006 United States Parents of the Year. The parents of 13 children and grandparents of 31 will be honored Thursday, August 3 at the Embassy Suites Hotel, in Tempe, Arizona (4400 S. Rural Road).
Keynote speaker for the dinner is Dr. John Gray – the best-selling author of “ Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus.” He will share his thoughts on the secrets of happy marriages and successful parenting.
The Parents of the Year award is given in conjunction with U.S. recognition of the fourth Sunday in July as the annually designated “Parents' Day.” The award is based on the criteria of couples exemplifying the qualities of sacrificial love, overcoming major obstacles to provide for children's personal development and happiness, exhibiting qualities of personal moral virtue and/or religious commitment and demonstrating a noteworthy record of contributions to their family and community. Children and friends of the Soelbergs said they met those requirements and more.
David Soelberg, the oldest of the Soelberg children, said, “I would not trade the upbringing I received and the family I have for anything in the world. If I can impart just a portion of what my parents taught me to my kids, I will consider myself a successful parent.”
The oldest daughter in the family, Amberlee Soelberg Maughan, said the optimism in the home was contagious. “There was always a ‘we can do it' attitude,” she said. “Together we could accomplish anything, if we were willing to work hard. Our home was a place of order, love and refuge from the storms of life. My parents are constantly striving to learn how to be better parents.”
Susan Duffin has known the Soelbergs for 20 years and has seen them reach out to the less fortunate and the home bound. She said, “Their realm of influence has reached beyond their family to their church, community and friends. Their compassion for others has made a lasting impression on me. They believe that ordinary people can do extraordinary things.”
Carol Soelberg is the president of United Families Arizona and travels all over the state in the effort to secure a future for the family. She has volunteered for numerous causes through the years, including humanitarian service projects, Cub Scout and Boy Scout leadership, the Parent Teacher Organization and other school functions, political work, church work and other activities.
“I always love to do whatever I can to promote families,” she said. She has also been a strong advocate for the family at the United Nations on behalf of United Families International.
Glade Soelberg is a U.S. Army veteran. He has volunteered for many activities, lobbied for families at the United Nations, served as a political precinct committeeman and has been active in church work, youth soccer and basketball coaching, Boy Scout leadership and other community activities.
The Soelbergs passed on to their children a legacy of community involvement, leadership and academic achievement. They have taught their children to apply themselves, and their children have won numerous awards and distinctions. All of their boys were Eagle Scouts and the girls are equally accomplished. In addition to raising nine girls and four boys, the Soelbergs also opened their home to at-risk children. Carol Soelberg said she became a better parent when she realized that she could succeed with child discipline by focusing more on teaching than on punishment.
The dinner starts at 7 p.m. and costs $25 per person. Registration begins at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are still available. To register, RSVP by calling (480) 968-2405, emailing afcaz@cox.net or going to www.parentsday.com.
Photograph by Timon Harper
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