Six-time Oscar nominated and Emmy, Golden Globe and Tony Award-winning actress Glenn Close will be honored with the American Giving Awards Leadership Award for her philanthropic endeavors at the second annual AMERICAN GIVING AWARDS PRESENTED BY CHASE. Hosted by Joel McHale (NBC’s “Community,” “The Soup”), the AGAs will be broadcast on NBC on Saturday, December 8 (8-10 p.m. ET) from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, Calif.
During the broadcast, produced by
Dick Clark productions and Intersport, performers
Colbie Caillat, Lifehouse with
Natasha Bedingfield, and
Darius Rucker will offer their voices to honor the local heroes from each AGA-nominated organization. Presenters will include
Anthony Anderson (NBC’s “Guys with Kids”), Miss USA 2012 Olivia Culpo,
Jenna Elfman (NBC’s “1600 Penn”),
Jenna Fischer (NBC’s “The Office”),
Jamie-Lynn Sigler (“Guys with Kids”) and
Gary Sinise (“CSI: NY”).
Close will be recognized for her steadfast work to end the stigma and prejudice around mental illness. With the blessing of her sister Jessie, who lives with bipolar disorder, and her nephew Calen, who lives with schizoaffective disorder, she co-founded BringChange2Mind, a not-for-profit organization created with The Balanced Mind Foundation, Fountain House, Garen and Shari Staglin of IMHRO (International Mental Health Research Organization), and with the support of the major mental health organizations in the country.
In October 2009, BringChange2Mind created a national anti-stigma public service campaign that has, to date, reached nearly one billion media impressions. BringChange2Mind continues to develop a vital and effective global grassroots community of people affected by mental illness, who have the courage to tell their stories without fear or shame, supported by their families and loved ones. Close and members of her family are actively involved in the challenge of addressing the prejudice and stigma around mental illness where it can be found -- in everyone.
Now through December 4, Facebook users and Chase online customers have the opportunity to vote for their favorite of the 25 nominees. The organization with the most votes will receive a $1 million grant, the runner-up will be granted $500,000, a third organization will receive a $250,000 grant, and two will be given $125,000 grants. For more information on the American Giving Awards Presented by Chase, and to vote for the winning charity, visit www.nbc.com/americangivingawards
The 25 participating charities will represent one of five categories recognizing the “building blocks” of communities. The nominees are:
Educators & Mentors: For empowering our communities through education:
Sprout Up – Goleta, Calif.
Fugees Family – Scottdale, Ga.
More Than Me Foundation – Washington, D.C.
She’s the First – New York, N.Y.
Worldreader – Seattle, Wash.
Heroes & Leaders: For outstanding community contributions to human rights and social services:
Restore NYC – New York, N.Y.
Team Rubicon – Inglewood, Calif.
The Tiziano Project – Calabasas, Calif.
Women Make Movies – New York, N.Y.
Youth Service America – Washington, D.C.
Champions of Health & Wellness: For improving health and well-being in our communities:
Active Minds – Washington, D.C.
Timmy Global Health – Indianapolis, Ind.
Gwendolyn Strong Foundation – Santa Barbara, Calif.
One Heartland – Minneapolis, Minn.
Surfers Healing Foundation, Inc. – San Juan Capistrano, Calif.
Community Builders: For excellence in serving our communities:
An Angel in Queens – Woodhaven, N.Y.
Architecture for Humanity – San Francisco, Calif.
Half the Sky Foundation – Berkeley, Calif.
Krochet Kids Intl. – Costa Mesa, Calif.
Samasource – San Francisco, Calif.
Youth Developers: For inspiring and nurturing our youth that will help build stronger communities:
Art Feeds – Joplin, Mo.
Break the Cycle – Los Angeles, Calif.
GLSEN – New York, N.Y.
YouthBuild Philadelphia Charter School – Philadelphia, Pa.
Together We Rise – Chino, Calif.
For more information on the “American Giving Awards Presented by Chase,” visit NBC.com's "Movies & Specials" site:
http://www.nbc.com/specials. Please follow us on Facebook at
http://www.facebook.com/NBC and on Twitter at
http://www.twitter.com/NBC
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