Al Roker and Marcia Gay Harden Honored as Father and Mother of the Year

Al Roker and Marcia Gay Harden Honored as Father and Mother of the Year

Major non-profit acknowledges supporters and enlists more help

NEW YORK, May 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pajama Program, a national non-profit that seeks to provide pajamas and books for the more than 500,000 foster care children in America, announced Friday its selection of "Mother and Father of the Year." Oscar-award-winning film and television star Marcia Gay Harden received the "Mother of the Year" award, and "America's weatherman" Al Roker of the TODAY show received the award for "Father of the Year." Jacky Teplitzky of Prudential Douglas Elliman received the "Sweet Dreams" award. The awards were presented at the Pajama Program's Sixth Annual Benefit luncheon, held to celebrate those who have furthered the mission of the Pajama Program as well as to recruit more support.

Genevieve Piturro, founder and executive director of the Pajama Program, is very proud to offer the prestigious awards to Harden and Roker. "These individuals represent the very heart of the Pajama Program -- providing care to children in need. They have extended themselves to support our unique program in the hopes that together we can spread the word and reach more children with our gifts."

Harden was a natural fit to receive the "Mother of the Year" award. Although life as an accomplished television and film actress can sometimes be all-consuming, Harden has kept her three children her top priority. In the course of her busy career she has received numerous accolades for her dramatic works, including winning the Academy Award(R) and New York Film Critics Circle Award for best supporting actress in the film Pollock. She earned another Oscar nomination for her supporting role in Mystic River. Throughout her career, Harden has often drawn upon her real-life experience as a mother when portraying different mothers in television and film, and has provided a tangible example of what a mother should be, both on- screen and off.

As the recipient of the Pajama Program's "Father of the Year" honor, Al Roker's dedication to parenting is well-known. As the father of an adopted child, he is a wonderful example of the ideals held so dear by the Pajama Program. He opened his heart to a child whom did not have the foundation of loving parents. Similar to Harden, Roker also maintains his children as his top priority in his hectic and fast-paced role as of one of America's most recognizable faces as the TODAY show weatherman. In addition, Roker is also a respected expert on parenting, and has written two top-selling books on fatherhood: Big Shoes: In Celebration of Dads and Fatherhood and Don't Make Me Stop This Car! Adventures in Fatherhood.

Jacky Teplitzky, a managing director at Prudential Douglas Elliman and the leader of the Jacky Teplitzky team, was honored for her work on behalf of the Pajama Program. A top New York City residential real estate broker, Teplitzky has consistently highlighted the charity in her business activities through high-profile marketing, advertising, and publicity campaigns that have assisted in raising the visibility of the Program to new audiences. A mother of two sons, Jacky, who is also a Pajama Program advisory board member, is deeply committed to children's causes.

Outside of the award presentations, a highlight of the luncheon was a raffle, which offered a series of luxurious prizes running the gamut from fine jewelry to a celebrity cruise to Europe. According to Pajama Program Board Member Jennefer Witter, "The raffle helps us to generate much-needed additional funds. Every cent helps as more and more children in America experience need, particularly during this current economic downturn. We are deeply appreciative of the companies and individuals who donated prizes."

A familiar face at the luncheon was renowned children's author Sandra Boynton. She was a fitting addition to the gathering, as the Pajama Program also provides books for children. Boynton, who has dominated the children's literature market, donated 300 of her books to serve as part of the luncheon's centerpieces. All centerpieces were donated to a children's group following the event.

Special recognition was given to the recipient of the "Volunteer Under Ten" award, Zac Olson. After viewing an episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show featuring the Pajama Program, Zac, himself an adopted child, decided to lead his kindergarten classmates in a pajama drive. The goal was to accrue 30 pairs of pajamas. The end result was double that number -- a total of 63 pairs of donated pajamas. WKTU radio personality, John "Goumba Johnny" Sialiano, presented the award.

Sponsors of the event included Entergy, Richard Leeds International, Newmark Knight Frank, Jacky Teplitzky-Prudential Douglas Elliman, RD Weis Companies, The NY Foundling, Manhattan Beer Distributors, Scholastic, Sor Mal Plastering & Construction, The Boreland Group Inc., Grace Suchanyc Foundation, Mr. & Mrs. Stuart Weitzman, Workman Publishing Co., Renee Siegel, Senior Vice President-Wealth Management, Senior Investment Management Specialist, Citi Smith Barney, Pearls & Lace Bridal, Burnsville, MN, Gotham Magazine, Hamptons Magazine, The Abaco Club on Winding Bay, A Ritz-Carlton Managed Club, and Paula Moynahan, MD. Past Pajama Program honorees have included Ellen Burstyn, Elizabeth Vargas, Meredith Vieira, Patti LaBelle, Ivana Trump, and Soledad O'Brien.

Piturro is extremely grateful for the beneficence of Pajama Program supporters. "The pajamas and books we give the children are like a hug at bedtime. As parents, Marcia and Al understand what children need and deserve at bedtime and it's wonderful to have them both help us spread the word about our work." To date, Piturro's efforts have resulted in the donation and distribution of more than 190,000 pairs of pajamas through 73 chapters across the U.S. since 1991. Additionally, several programs have been created internationally in countries such as Australia, South Africa and Canada. For more information, please call 212-716-9757 or visit www.pajamaprogram.org.

About The Pajama Program

The Pajama Program, a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, provides new, warm pajamas and books to children in need throughout the United States and around the world, many of whom are waiting and hoping to be adopted. These are youngsters who may not know the comforts of a mother or father to tuck them into a cozy bed and read them a bedtime story. Too many have been abandoned, most deprived of any love at all. For more information or to donate, please visit www.pajamaprogram.org.

Source: The Pajama Program

CONTACT: Stephanie Lo Re-Labelson of Aspen Marketing Services,
+1-212-431-5300, ext. 4707, slorelabelson@aspenms.com, for The Pajama Program

Web site:

http://www.pajamaprogram.org/

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