PHOENIX, Ariz.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Childhelp, one of the nation’s oldest and largest nonprofits advocating for abused and neglected children, proudly announces a presidential honor that will take place Monday, Sept 9th at 10 a.m. at the Childhelp Children’s Center of Arizona located at 2120 N. Central Ave. Suite 130, Phoenix, Ariz., 85004.
At the event Founders Sara O’Meara and Yvonne Fedderson will receive The President’s Volunteer Service Lifetime Achievement Award from the Office of the President of the United States through the nominating agency of the Los Angeles Tribune.
The President’s Volunteer Service Lifetime Achievement Award was established by the Corporation for National and Community Service and is part of the President’s Volunteer Service Award program. It is a prestigious honor recognizing individuals who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to volunteer service over an extended period, and who have made a profound impact on their communities.
This award represents a significant acknowledgement of lifelong dedication to volunteerism and community service, highlighting O’Meara and Fedderson’s enduring contribution in advocating for and caring for children—a mission that began 65 years ago.
While entertaining troops in Tokyo, Japan, as Hollywood actresses in 1959, O’Meara and Fedderson rescued 11 half-American, half-Japanese orphans. Within three weeks, they helped 100 additional children, eventually building four orphanages in Japan. This was the catalyst for founding Childhelp, which has made a positive difference in the lives of more than 13 million abused and neglected children across the country.
In 1982, O’Meara and Fedderson also launched the nation’s first Child Abuse Hotline, which has received more than two million calls and provides critical support to countless families. This award, coinciding with O’Meara’s 90th birthday, adds a special significance to the day, as both women are honored for their invaluable role as devoted civic leaders.
“We are extremely delighted and deeply humbled to receive The President’s Lifetime Achievement Award,” says O’Meara. “This is a testament to the collective care of the country we love so much, which has always supported the Childhelp mission of protecting and nurturing children,” she adds. “Together, we have made a lasting difference in the lives of children and families,” says Fedderson. “We will forever be profoundly grateful.”
The President’s Volunteer Service Lifetime Achievement Award not only celebrates O’Meara and Fedderson’s extraordinary actions toward child welfare but also honors their dedication to public leadership, community service, and advocacy for a more peaceful world.
“On behalf of everyone at Childhelp, I extend our heartfelt congratulations to Sara O’Meara and Yvonne Fedderson for receiving The President’s Volunteer Service Lifetime Achievement Award,” says Childhelp Chief of Staff Michael Medoro.
“Words cannot express how deeply we cherish Sara and Yvonne,” Medoro adds. “Their unwavering dedication and the incredible impact they’ve had on countless families over the years have been the bedrock of our mission. Their legacy is one of boundless humanity and tireless advocacy, serving as lessons to us all.”
O’Meara and Fedderson’s persistent efforts have earned them more than 100 prestigious awards, including the Arizona Foundation for Women’s Sandra Day O’Connor Award, the United States Department of Justice Award presented by President Ronald Reagan, the National Caring Award, and the Kiwanis World Service Medal. They have also been nominated four times for the Nobel Peace Prize and had received accolades from Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom.
About Childhelp: Founded by Sara O’Meara and Yvonne Fedderson in 1959, Childhelp® has brought the light of hope and healing into the lives of more than 13 million children as a leading national nonprofit organization dedicated to helping abused, neglected and at-risk children. Childhelp’s programs and services include residential treatment services, children’s advocacy centers, therapeutic foster care, group homes and child abuse prevention, education and training. The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline serves children and adults nationwide 24/7 through phone, text and online chat. For more information, visit www.childhelp.org and follow Childhelp at facebook.com/childhelp, Instagram.com/childhelp and twitter.com/childhelp.
Contacts
Jessica Parsons
Gordon C. James Public Relations
O: 602-274-1988 / C: 602-686-5746
jparsons@gcjpr.com
Meghan Krein
Childhelp
O: 480-922-8215 / C: 480-528-0537
mkrein@childhelp.org
