Philbin, Gervais, Goldberg, Springsteen and Scialfa to Perform at Benefit for The Bob Woodruff Foundation

The New York Comedy Festival (NYCF) and the Bob Woodruff Foundation (BWF) unite to present the second annual Stand Up for Heroes: A Benefit for the Bob Woodruff Foundation at Town Hall in New York City at 8:00 PM on Wednesday, November 5. Regis Philbin will host Stand Up for Heroes, which will feature star performances by Ricky Gervais, John Pinette, Bruce Springsteen, and Patti Scialfa. Both Whoopi Goldberg and James Niven of Sotheby's will make a special appearance as the guest auctioneers. In honor of the United States' injured service members, the evening promises unforgettable performances, laughter, and sincere gratitude, with proceeds going to the BWF.

All five living presidents: President and Mrs. George W. Bush, President George H. W. Bush, President James E. Carter, and President William J. Clinton serve as the Presidential Committee for this year's event. Peter and Megan Chernin, Phil Kent, Les Moonves and Julie Chen, Phillip and Anne Sweeney, and Jeff and Caryn Zucker serve as event co-chairs.

Tickets for this event are available for purchase at www.ticketmaster.com and www.nycomedyfestival.com.

"Our second annual Stand Up for Heroes event is an opportunity to give back to our wounded service members in gratitude for their sacrifices. Together we can help our injured troops overcome the challenges they face as they re-integrate into society," said Bob and Lee Woodruff. "'Support Our Troops' is no longer a slogan. It's an action. Your attendance and support of this event is greatly appreciated."

In January 2006, while reporting for ABC News, Bob Woodruff was severely injured in Iraq when his convoy was hit by a roadside bomb. Both Woodruff and his cameraman, Doug Vogt, sustained multiple life-threatening wounds. The Woodruff family established BWF in February 2007 to raise awareness and money to assist members of the U.S. military injured while serving.

"I have the utmost respect for Bob and Lee Woodruff; the way they have taken tragedy and employed it to do so much good with The Bob Woodruff Foundation illustrates what incredible people they are," says Caroline Hirsch, a founding partner of the festival and owner of Carolines on Broadway. "We were thrilled with the outcome of last year's benefit and are proud that the New York Comedy Festival continues to help raise awareness and funding for those that need it most. Also, during the critical times we are all currently experiencing, it is important not only to give back but to have a little laughter in our lives. The NYCF is pleased to present Stand Up for Heroes for the second year."

In 2007, Stand Up for Heroes raised over 2 million dollars and changed the lives of countless wounded service members. By focusing on the physical and psychological wounds of war, the BWF is ensuring our heroes return home to the assistance they need and support they deserve. The injuries we can see are often coupled with the injuries we cannot. We have cared for all of our wounded only when we have cared for all of their wounds. It is the hidden combat injuries that have become today's signature injury. How we as a nation deal with the epidemic will become our signature.

Through a new campaign, ReMIND.org, thanks to the generous pro-bono support of J. Walter Thompson, the Bob Woodruff Foundation is raising money to provide resources and support to our injured heroes and their families, and they're doing it in every corner of the country. ReMIND is connecting our injured heroes to a home front ready to support them. We are helping veterans reintegrate into a society that recognizes all they have done - and all they still can do.

A private reception at NASDAQ Marketsite in Times Square will precede the Stand Up for Heroes event at Town Hall.

The 5th annual New York Comedy Festival will be taking place November 5-9 in New York City featuring some of the biggest names in the business. Frank Caliendo, Louis C.K., Craig Ferguson, Carlos Mencia, Joel McHale, Tracy Morgan, B.J. Novak, Brian Regan, Sarah Silverman, and Katt Williams will be headlining this year at venues all over the city including Carnegie Hall, Apollo Theater, Avery Fisher Hall, Town Hall, Hammerstein Ballroom, Carolines on Broadway, Paley Center for Media, The UCB Theatre and The Bleecker Street Theatre.

COMEDY CENTRAL has signed a multi-year national partnership with the New York Comedy Festival, providing the Festival for the first-time, a national television partner to showcase its prestigious comedy line-up. The partnership will include producing an on-air special shot at the Festival which will premiere in early 2009, as well as digital media support and other content opportunities.

The 2008 New York Comedy Festival is produced by Carolines on Broadway and United Entertainment Group. The Festival is presented by myspace.com, New York Post, Time Out New York, WNYW/Fox 5 and WWOR/My9. The Festival is supported by The Alliance for Climate Protection and Energizer.

For more information on each event and to purchase tickets, please visit www.nycomedyfestival.com.

About the Bob Woodruff Foundation

The Bob Woodruff Foundation provides direct giving to support our Nation's injured and their families through community based efforts; partnering with private industry and government to achieve their goals; committed to raising awareness of today's signature injury - the hidden injuries of the mind. The Foundation is ensuring that service members get the support they deserve.

"Support Our Troops" is no longer a slogan. It's an action. To learn more about the Bob Woodruff Foundation and how you can take action please visit www.ReMIND.org.

Photo Credit: Whoopi Goldberg by Walter McBride / Retna Ltd., Regis and Joy Philbin by Linda Lenzi