2012 TOUCHING LIVES Award Ceremony Set for Today

From a cable TV show to a prestigious award show, producer/host Kathy Bee believes that this is a perfect way to kick-off the Touching Lives resurgence is by celebrating and saying "Thank You" to past guests and other extraordinary people, for their generosity, caring and unwavering devotion to improving the lives of their fellow man "People Helping People."

Presenters and special guests include George Chakiris, Mother Love, Kate Linder, Erin Murphy, Geri Jewell, Donzaleigh Abernathy, Lee Purcell, Paul Ryan, Veera Mahajan, Aisulu Gates, Shellie Hunt, David Stanley, Dr. Neil Klein, Karrie Benoit Morales, Barbara Van Orden, Kathy Bee and more. The evening will be emceed by award winning publicist, producer, writer and humanitarian, B. Harlan Boll.

2012 Honorees:

Alwyn Lopez "Al" Jarreau is an American singer. A seven-time Grammy Award winner, he is the only vocalist in history to win in three separate categories: jazz, pop, and R&B. He also won the Grammys within a span of four consecutive decades in the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and 2000s. Al Jarreau was born in Milwaukee, WI, on March 12, 1940. The son of a vicar, he earned his first performing experience singing in the church choir. After receiving his master's degree in psychology, Jarreau pursued a career as a social worker, but eventually he decided to relocate to Los Angeles and ultimately became a world renowned recording artist with hits including, We're in This Love Together. He was also a featured vocalist on USA for Africa's "We Are the World" in which he sang the line, "...and so we all must lend a helping hand." Another charitable media event, HBO's Comic Relief, featured Al in a duet with Natalie Cole singing the song "Mr. President". Al Jarreau also has a star in on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Candace Bowen, a woman of boundless energy and multiple talents, Candace continues to make her presence known. Born and raised in Philadelphia pa, Candace Carries on the legacy of our entertainment family. Can this is an actress, film producer, owns her own Production Company, and recipient of an Ascee Award for "Best New Cable Show". In 1991 Candace received the Dramalogue Award for best play and two NAACP Theater Image Awards. In 1998 she launched the first Women In Film International Networking Breakfast in Johannesburg, South Africa. Candice is also the founder and Chair of the Annual Women In Film Malibu Celebrity Golf Tournament, the Women In Film Malibu Networking Breakfast and she has served on the board of the Malibu Chamber of Commerce. Candice is always there to help and encourage others regardless of one's title, status, or level of success or fame.

Allen R. Korneff for 35 years served as the president and CEO for Downey Regional Medical Center and its subsidiaries, which included a 199-bed acute care hospital, an insurance company, a home health division and fund development. Korneff was instrumental in implementing advancements in technology and systems, which helped to modernize a local community hospital. Prior to coming to Downey Regional Medical Center in 1971, Korneff held positions at Stanford Research Institute, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Presbyterian Hospital of Hollywood and Adventist Health Services West. He received his M.B.A. from the University of Southern California and a B.S. degree in industrial management from Northern Arizona University. His countless hours of total commitment to others, is not and will not be forgotten.

Fleet Easton was born in Akron, Ohio; Fleet got stung by the showbiz bug early on and remembers singing songs in full voice in his bedroom much to the chagrin of his parents. He moved to New York City and studied at American Ballet Theater, Ballet Arts and took master classes at the world- renowned Julliard School. After briefly moving back to Ohio, he decided to give San Francisco a try. The Fleet moved to Florida appearing in feature films and TV series, a national tour of "A Christmas Carol," toured in his own show, "The Fleet Experience," released a CD "In His Presence and was co-host and talk show host on TV in central Florida and the voice of NASA Radio. He acted and served as director, stage manager, creative consultant and hair and makeup artist for the "Brevard Theatrical Ensemble." He also became a member of the Bel Canto Ensemble and performed throughout Florida, presenting concerts of Broadway, pop, classical and opera selections. In 2006, he made his debut with the Space Coast Pops Orchestra and has performed with the Melbourne Florida Orchestra. Fleet moved to Palm Springs in 2007 and in 2008 Fleet appeared in DerRick Lewis' Musical Chairs, and became the soloist for Interfaith Ministries Worldwide. In October, he won the Desert Idol competition for Palm Springs and he just produced his first show Fleet has performed for numerous charitable events. His heart especially goes out to the homeless. G. Webster Smith's untimely death this year was the primary reason for Kathy Bee to produce the Touching Lives TV Award Show. As a recurring guest on Touching Lives, Web provided the audience with great stories of courage and how he often overcame great odds. "When you are a pioneer in your field, you are paving the way for others to succeed. Sometimes you endure hardships. Overcoming the obstacles is how you succeed!" was Web's message to us. G. Webster Smith was the first African American to receive a Master Rating from the Professional Skating Association, in 1991 a Master Rated Figure Skating Coach for Competitive Ice Skaters, an accomplished dancer in Jazz, Lyrical Jazz, Modern, Ballet, Tap, Hip-Hop, a Staff Skating Coach at the University of Denver. In 2010, Smith was head coach of the Icelandic national team of the Bjorninn Skating Club, inspiring his students to winning Iceland's first-ever international medals at figure skating. Web was also working with the Jamaican ice hockey team so that they could compete at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Moscow, Russia. He never gave up! This spirit and quest for perfection…Web handed to us…Touching Lives and always Helping People. His sister Judith Smith carries on his legacy.

George Newberry is a published author, The Devil's Reign and The Final Warning was born in Missouri and grew up in Illinois. George's spiritual awakening came at the age of 12, after seeing the film "The Miracle of Our Lady of Fatima." At the age of 14, after major surgery, George had a near-death experience. He was told, "You have to go back, you have a destiny to fulfill." In 1968, George moved to Southern California and currently resides in the city of Ontario. In 1977, George had a dream. When his dream ended, a voice said to him, "Now you have dreamed a story, wake up write it down and do something with it." That dream sent George on a mission to warn people to fight the forces of evil and to encourage them to get their lives in order with God. George is a member of The Thalians, on the Board of Directors of The Film Welfare League and The Pomona Valley Writer's Association, and he is Past President of The Film and Performing Artists Foundation. George is a supporter of Mercy House and many other charities and often lends his beautiful home to hosts events and galas.

Nina Van Tassell started as a model in New York before coming to California. She owned and operated seven men's clothing stores in San Francisco and Los Angeles before if settling in Hollywood Hills in 1979. She also worked as a designer of ladies clothing both wholesale and high end retail for her two clothing salons. From 1991 to the present, Nina has found herself involved with her many real estate holdings in the canyon. She is also a freelance architectural designer and décor consultant. Nina has an active and obvious love for historic preservation. She is very involved in her community and takes pride in helping to better her surroundings. Nina Van Tassell has served on the Board of Directors of the Beachwood Canyon Neighborhood Association for two years. She has even been known to personally fill potholes on several streets. Responding to sick neighbors, attending public hearings, testifying before the City Council, the L.A. Police Commission, concerning environmental issues are only a few of the activities that Nina has championed. As president of the Woman's Club of Hollywood, Nina devoted countless hours and contributions to restoring the club for future generations to come. Her love for people and kindness to others is outstanding.

Larry Haynes joined Mercy House in May of 1990 as its original employee, and continues to serve as the organization's executive director. He is also an adjunct sociology professor at Vanguard University where he teaches on poverty and homeless issues. In addition to developing all of Mercy House's programs, shelters and housing projects, Larry has also founded several other programs including the Interfaith Shelter Network and the Shelter Provider Forum, and has served as a consultant to a variety of cities and non-profit corporations. Larry was one of the co-authors of Orange County's 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness and currently serves on its Board of Directors. He is also currently a Board Member of Orange County Partnership, and the local Emergency Food and Shelter Program. Larry has previously served on many other boards and public task forces, and has with Mercy House, received dozens of recognition awards. He has also been a speaker at numerous local, state, and national workshops and conferences focusing on homeless, housing, and leadership issues.
Larry was also a long-tenured lay preacher at Trinity Episcopal Church, and is an unapologetic rabid Soccer Dad!

Madhu Sridhar is the President and CEO of the Akshaya Patra Foundation USA, an organization which feeds midday meals to 1.2 million underprivileged children each day in schools across India at a cost of $28 per child for an entire year. Under her leadership, Akshaya Patra established 14 grassroots chapters across the United States to help raise awareness of the program's mission to eradicate hunger and promote education simultaneously. She has also helped Akshaya Patra garner support from many major corporations and foundations. During her tenure, the organization has received praise for its groundbreaking model and pioneering efforts from several noted dignitaries, including President Obama, the late Senator Kennedy, Senators Kerry, McGovern and Dole, and US Representatives McGovern and Sprague. Since her joining Akshaya Patra in 2007, Akshaya Patra has received many awards and accolades, including the prestigious 2009 Tech Award as well as being named a 2008 Top 5 Finalist for American Express Members Project. Prior to joining Akshaya Patra, Sridhar served for four years as the President of the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts with 60 chapters spread throughout the state. In January 2008, Governor Deval Patrick of Massachusetts appointed Sridhar to The Commonwealth Corps, an eleven member commission he initiated that engages Massachusetts residents of all ages and backgrounds to rebuild communities. She is a former Commissioner for the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women, which aims to provide a permanent, effective voice for women across Massachusetts. She has served on the boards of ACLU, WGBH, Andover Community for Education, and Chinmaya Mission. She has worked as the Director of Actuarial Department for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts and as a consultant for Peat Marwick & Mitchell and New England Mutual Life Insurance Company.

Holmes Stoner served as the Senior Vice President and Founding Partner of Artesa Marketing Group of Studio City, California and personally manages the China National Tourism account and simultaneously assists in all other international operations of URI International, specializing in China and most of Asia. Mr. Stoner serves as the Chairman and Executive Director of the Pacific Rim Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Stoner serves as Member of Advisory Board at Healthy Coffee USA, Inc. He serves as an Advisory Board Member of Healthy Coffee International Inc. Mr. Stoner has also served on many executive panels and committees, where he provided insights on multi-cultural international business relations. He has been received national recognition for his expertise in these areas and has been interviewed in major publications like Venture Magazine, L.A. Business Journal, San Francisco Business Journal, Los Angeles Times, the Chicago Tribune, San Francisco Examiner Seattle Times, CNN, and CNBC's Wall Street Report. Mr. Stoner has a degree in Marketing and Marketing Communications from UCLA and is a graduate of the KIIS Broadcast Workshop.

G. Webster Smith's untimely death this year was the primary reason for Kathy Bee to produce the Touching Lives TV Award Show. As a recurring guest on Touching Lives, Web provided the audience with great stories of courage and how he often overcame great odds. "When you are a pioneer in your field, you are paving the way for others to succeed. Sometimes you endure hardships. Overcoming the obstacles is how you succeed!" was Web's message to us. G. Webster Smith was the first African American to receive a Master Rating from the Professional Skating Association, in 1991 a Master Rated Figure Skating Coach for Competitive Ice Skaters, an accomplished dancer in Jazz, Lyrical Jazz, Modern, Ballet, Tap, Hip-Hop, a Staff Skating Coach at the University of Denver. In 2010, Smith was head coach of the Icelandic national team of the Bjorninn Skating Club, inspiring his students to winning Iceland's first-ever international medals at figure skating. Web was also working with the Jamaican ice hockey team so that they could compete at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Moscow, Russia. He never gave up! This spirit and quest for perfection…Web handed to us…Touching Lives and always Helping People. His sister Judith Smith carries on his legacy.

Touching Lives began as a cable TV show that aired in 14 Southern California cities, from 1998-2008, produced and hosted by Kathy Bee. (250 shows aired.) Due to the fact that many lives were touched and affected by viewing uplifting positive collaborative programs, Bee decided to not only to revise the show, but to form an advisory board of like-minded people, to expand the market place and to host live events that will serve the community.

The award show is scheduled for today, Nov. 15, 2012 at the Woman's Club Of Hollywood, 1749 N. La Brea Ave Los Angeles, Calif. at 7:30 PM. A VIP Receptions will precede and follow the show. Entertainment will be the musical presentation of The Tin Can Showcase. This event is open to the public…seating will be limited (black tie optional).

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