Childhelp Hotline

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – The Childhelp Drive the Dream Gala is turning back the clock and celebrating classic Hollywood style by paying homage to the Hollywood start of its founders, actresses Sara Buckner (O’Meara) and Yvonne Lime (Fedderson). Sara and Yvonne first met on the set of The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet, when they played the girlfriends of Ricky and David Nelson. However, it was after a chance encounter with 11 homeless orphans in Japan that their lives would change forever and they would be led down a path of lifelong commitment to helping children in need.

Event Gala Chairs Carol and Jim Cook invite you to experience an evening of Hollywood style elegance, lounge amongst the decadence of a wide array of classic cars and enjoy thrilling entertainment.

The Childhelp Drive the Dream Gala, co-hosted by Barrett-Jackson and held in conjunction with the world-famous Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event, garners some of the Valley’s most-celebrated personalities and brings in over $1.5 million annually for the national charity.

Attendees will be treated to some real life Hollywood entertainment, as the original, Emmy winning Hollywood Squares game show host Peter Marshall will be on hand for a revival of his famous hosting duties.  Some of the Hollywood stars in attendance and taking part in the game will be Kathie Lee Gifford, Cheryl Ladd, Jane Seymour, Catherine Oxenberg, Casper Van Dien, Connie Stevens, Rhonda Fleming and Norm Crosby.  Arizona’s own Secretary of State Jan Brewer and US Senator Jon Kyl will battle it out for a good cause as the game’s two contestants.

Also on hand will be Fox News Channel anchor Megyn Kelly. Kelly co-hosts America's Newsroom and is a frequent contributor on the The O'Reilly Factor and On the Record.  This year Kelly will be recognized for her excellence in journalism with the Childhelp Positive Impact in the Media Award.

Local philanthropists Victoria and David Glimcher will receive the Spirit of the Children Award, awarded annually to Valley residents who have generously given their time and good fortune to children’s causes.  The Honorary Gala chairs are Mike and Sheila Ingram and Linda Pope is the Event Chair Emeritus.

Closing the evening in true Hollywood style will be a special performance by Grammy Award winning singer Vikki Carr.  The chart topping vocalist is well known for hit songs like “It Must Be Him,” “The Lesson” and “With Pen in Hand.”

The annual Childhelp Drive the Dream Gala is Childhelp’s largest fundraiser of the year. All proceeds from the gala benefit Childhelp’s programs and services in Arizona. The Childhelp Drive the Dream Gala will kick-off at 6:00 p.m. on Jan. 10 at WestWorld in Scottsdale. Tickets are $1,000, with table sponsorships ranging from $10,000 to $50,000. The Valley’s own Tara Hitchcock of 3TV and the editor of Post Magazine Tom Zenner, will be the evening’s emcees. For more information about Childhelp Drive the Dream, visit www.childhelpdrivethedream.org.

In 2009, Childhelp commemorates 50 years of bringing the light of hope and healing into the lives of countless children. CEO and Co-Founder Sara O’Meara and President and Co-Founder Yvonne Fedderson started Childhelp in 1959, establishing it as a leading national non-profit organization dedicated to helping victims of child abuse and neglect and at-risk children. Childhelp’s approach focuses on advocacy, prevention, treatment and community outreach.

The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline, 1-800-4-A-CHILD^®, operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and receives calls from throughout the United States, Canada, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Guam. Childhelp’s programs and services also include residential treatment services; children’s advocacy centers; therapeutic foster care; group homes and child abuse prevention, education and training. Childhelp also created the Childhelp National Day of Hope^®, held each April during National Child Abuse Prevention Month, that mobilizes people across America to join the fight against child abuse.

For more information about Childhelp and to learn how to get involved in our 50^th anniversary celebration, please call 480-922-8212 or visit www.childhelp.org.

MEDIA CONTACT:    Derrek Hofrichter
                                     Communications Manager
                                     480-922-8212 / cell 480-297-8445
                                     dhofrichter@childhelp.org