American Red Cross Adds Five New Celebrity Volunteers

American Red Cross Adds Five New Celebrity Volunteers

Announcement follows First Lady Michelle Obama's official launch of United We Serve initiative

WASHINGTON, July 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Red Cross is pleased to announce five new additions to its National Celebrity Cabinet, a group of celebrity supporters who promote Red Cross services by donating their time, helping neighbors prepare for emergencies, responding to disasters and lending a helping hand to those in need.

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New members to the American Red Cross National Celebrity Cabinet include country singer and professional ballroom dancer Julianne Hough; Tony Award(R)-winner and actress Anika Noni Rose, who lends her voice to the upcoming Walt Disney Pictures animated comedy adventure "The Princess and the Frog" and appears in the HBO/Anthony Minghella television drama series, "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency"; Hollywood Records artist and Disney Channel star, Demi Lovato, who is supporting disaster relief via a Text 2 Help campaign throughout her summer tour; actress Sally Pressman from Lifetime's "Army Wives" who will be supporting Red Cross Services to the Armed Forces and actress Amanda Peet.

Peet has already made a personal commitment to support the Red Cross Measles Initiative. "As a mom, I feel privileged to support the American Red Cross in their efforts to vaccinate millions of children around the world through the Measles Initiative, a partnership committed to reducing measles deaths globally. I commend the American Red Cross for tackling this global health problem in developing countries, where measles remains a leading cause of death, despite the availability of a safe, effective and inexpensive vaccine. I am passionate about this cause and look forward partnering with the American Red Cross to ensure children worldwide have this life-saving opportunity."

"The American Red Cross runs on the valuable service of volunteers to fulfill our mission, and we are grateful that these celebrities are setting an example by volunteering their time and talents to help raise awareness of our work in responding to disasters, providing blood, helping military members and their families and promoting preparedness through first aid or CPR classes," states Gail McGovern, President and CEO of American Red Cross.

The announcement of these celebrity supporters closely follows First Lady Michelle Obama's official launch of the United We Serve initiative, a call for nationwide service to begin a sustained, collaborative and focused effort to meet community needs. The initiative spans throughout the summer and will culminate with a National Day of Service and Remembrance on September 11. During this time, the Red Cross will promote volunteer opportunities throughout its network of more than 700 chapters to help encourage community service.

"I am honored to be a part of the American Red Cross Celebrity Cabinet and help support an organization that offers neutral humanitarian care to the victims of war and aid to victims of devastating natural disasters. Being part of this amazing organization will provide me with an opportunity to join its efforts to help others and encourage the American public to become involved with their local Red Cross and make a difference," said Julianne Hough. Please visit Celebrity Cabinet member quotes.

The Red Cross benefits from the involvement of public figures and celebrities dating back to World War I. Over the years, actors, artists, and sports figures committing their time and talents to the organization have played an important role in raising public awareness of Red Cross services nationwide.

New Members of the 2009 American Red Cross National Celebrity Cabinet:

-- Julianne Hough is multi-talented; a singer, a dancer and actress. She
is widely known for being a two-time winner of ABC's "Dancing with the
Stars." Her self-titled debut album was released in May of last year,
debuting at #1 on the Billboard Country Album chart and is currently
in the studio working on her second. This spring, Hough won the Top
New Artist award at the 44th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards.
She can be seen on stage this summer as the opening act for George
Strait's Summer 2009 tour.
-- Demi Lovato burst on to the scene after starring alongside the Jonas
Brothers in the Disney Channel Original film "Camp Rock." She
released her first album, Don't Forget, in 2008 and will release her
second studio album, Here We Go Again, on July 21, 2009. Demi also
stars in her own hit series "Sonny with a Chance" and co-stars in the
Disney Channel Original film, "Princess Protection Program" with
Selena Gomez. Lovato performed as the Jonas Brothers' opening act for
their "Burning Up" tour last summer, and this summer she has her own
tour, with special guest David Archuleta. Additionally, Lovato's
family was devastated by a tornado that struck Mena, Arkansas on April
9 and Demi is committed to support disaster awareness through the
American Red Cross Text 2 Help campaign.
-- Amanda Peet gained recognition as the leading lady in the smash hit
comedy "The Whole Nine Yards" with Bruce Willis and Matthew Perry. She
was also named one of People's "50 Most Beautiful People in the World"
the same year. Peet showcases her talents in feature films
"Something's Gotta Give", "Igby Goes Down", "Syriana", alongside
George Clooney, and this year's disaster film "2012". Peet's passion
to serve is demonstrated in her support for non-profits and advocacy
for childhood vaccination.
-- Sally Pressman plays the role of Roxy LeBlanc on Lifetime's "Army
Wives," and has previously acted in the independent film "The Dread"
and the TV show "Shark". She was classically trained in ballet and is
a former member of the Manhattan Ballet Company. She attended Yale
University where she acted in several plays and received a B.A. in
theatre studies.

-- Anika Noni Rose won the 2004 Tony Award for her role in Broadway's
"Caroline or Change", and this spring she could be seen weekly as
Grace Makutsi on HBO's "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency". She
starred in the feature film "Dream Girls" alongside Beyonce Knowles
and Jennifer Hudson, and this year Rose lends her voice to Disney's
upcoming animated feature "The Princess and the Frog," becoming
Disney's first African-American princess.

This group of newcomers joins the National Celebrity Cabinet that also includes Greg Biffle, Pierce Brosnan, Jackie Chan, Chayanne, Jamie Lee Curtis, Miley Cyrus, Sara Evans, George Foreman, Leeza Gibbons, Amy Grant, Pat Green, Marcia Gay Harden, Dwayne Johnson, Heidi Klum, Patti LaBelle, Peyton and Eli Manning, Marlee Matlin, Dr. Phil McGraw, "Access Hollywood's" Nancy O'Dell, Masi Oka, Rascal Flatts, Raven-Symone, Elisabeth Rohm, Jane Seymour, Jimmy Smits, and Daddy Yankee.

The Red Cross is honored to have Sherry Lansing, former chairman and CEO, Motion Picture Group, Paramount Pictures and former member of the Red Cross Board of Governors, to serve as National Celebrity Cabinet Chair.

Please visit www.redcross.org to learn more about the Red Cross National Celebrity Cabinet.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and counsels victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization -- not a government agency -- and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at www.redcrosschat.org.

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Source: American Red Cross

CONTACT: American Red Cross, +1-202-303-5551

Web Site: http://www.redcross.org/

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