Grammy
Award-winning recording artists No Doubt, Sheryl Crow, Mary J. Blige,
Mya, Enrique Iglesias, Vince Gill and Amy Grant, as well as Pat Monahan
from the hit rock group Train, will be among the performers, and actress
Lauren Holly ("Dumb and Dumber") who is an adoptive parent,
actor/comedian Jamie Foxx ("The Jamie Foxx Show") who is adopted,
actress Rene Russo ("The Thomas Crown Affair") and actress
Victoria Rowell ("The Young and the Restless") who was raised
in foster care, will be among the stars presenting inspirational stories
about adoption on the fifth annual A HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS, a touching
new entertainment special to be broadcast Tuesday, Dec. 23 (8:00-9:00
PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.
Following
the success of the past four annual shows, this year's special continues
to tell moving stories about adoption to raise awareness of this important
social issue. The inspirational stories of these American families are
enhanced by performances by some of today's most popular performers.
No Doubt will perform "It’s My Life" from their new
album, The Singles 1992-2003 and "Running" from the Rocksteady
album; Sheryl Crow will perform "The First Cut is the Deepest"
from The Very Best of Sheryl Crow; Maya will perform "Fallen"
from her new album, Moodring; Mary J. Blige will sing "Special
Part of Me" from her album, Love and Life; Enrique Iglesias will
perform "Addicted" from his album, 7; Vince Gill and Amy Grant
will perform the single "Grown-Up Christmas List" from Grant's
album, Home for Christmas, and Pat Monahan from Train will perform "When
I Look to the Sky" from the album, My Private Nation.
Four pre-taped story segments will be presented by celebrities who either
have had their own adoption experiences or are involved with children's
issues. The stories highlight many exceptional American children and
families involved in this rewarding process.
•
The Stark Family: After her 20-year marriage ended, Virginia Stark
traveled the country as a professional photographer. When asked to
donate her time to New Mexico's Adoption Unit to photograph 9-year-old
Katrina, who was in need of a home, Virginia's life was changed forever.
In November 2001, Virginia adopted Katrina. She says she has waited
her whole life to be called "mom" and her wish has now come
true in a way she never imagined. When asked what adoption meant to
her, Katrina replied, "Imagine a garden that’s dead, but
you love it and you water it and one day it comes alive… and
it’s beautiful… like you always hoped it would be."
•
The Armstrong Family: College sweethearts Scott and Donna Armstrong
were married in 1988 and had their son, Taylor, in 1993. The next
several years were difficult for the couple as they tried to have
another child but couldn’t. When they found a photo of foster
children 4-year-old Robert and his 3-year-old brother, Trevor, they
knew what they had to do. They reunited the siblings by choosing to
adopt them both. When the Armstrongs first met Robert and Trevor,
who had been separated for nearly a year, the couple was overwhelmed
by the strong attachment the boys still had to each other. During
the next few visits, Robert and his little brother had a chance to
meet Taylor, and soon the three boys became inseparable. Today, Scott
and Donna Armstrong have the family life they always imagined.
• The Cates Family: Mary and Arthur Cates were married in December
1991 and knew that they would adopt someday since Mary was unable
to have children. In September 2002, the couple attended a Black Adoption
Fair with the intent to meet infants. Of the 80 children at the fair,
only two were babies. That's when they met Darnell, an 8-year-old
boy who had been in foster care since he was born, living in as many
as four homes in a two-year period. On August 2, 2003, Darnell’s
ninth birthday, Mary and Arthur Cates adopted him. When Darnell first
moved in with the Cates, he would not call them "mom or dad,"
stating that "Before, when I called people mom and dad, I’d
have to move." They assured him that they would be together forever
and although he was initially reluctant to give up his birth name,
he finally asked to be officially named Darnell James Cates (James
after Arthur's middle name).
• The Barker Family: Christopher and Beverly married later in
life. Christopher had always wanted to be a dad, and Beverly’s
youngest was heading off to college. Maggie was nearly 3 years old
when the Barkers adopted her in 2000. The toddler had been shuffled
through several foster homes since birth. Initially diagnosed with
speech delays, Maggie found her voice in the loving care of her new
parents. Today, she keeps them busy with soccer games, Campfire Girls
and Kindergarten activities.
• Children Waiting: There are more than half-a-million children
currently in foster care in the United States. This segment brings
the numbers to life by creating an intimate portrait of children who
need permanent loving families.
The special is being presented in association with The Dave Thomas
Foundation for Adoption and the Children's Action Network. The Dave
Thomas Foundation for Adoption was established in 1992 by Wendy's
restaurant founder Dave Thomas, who was adopted. It is dedicated to
increasing the awareness of the more than 150,000 children in North
America's foster care system who have been freed for adoption. Wendy's
Restaurants is a program sponsor.
The Children's Action Network was founded in 1990 by leaders in the
entertainment industry to harness the power of the entertainment media
on behalf of children. The special is a part of CAN's National Adoption
Campaign to raise awareness of the joys of adopting and to find homes
for the children who are waiting.
A HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS is being produced by Triage Entertainment and
Goldsmith Entertainment, in association with the Children's Action Network
and the Dave Thomas Foundation. Karen Mack, Marilyn Seabury, Stu Schreiberg
and Stephen Kroopnick are the executive producers; Kimberly Steer is
the supervising producer. Michael Simon is directing the special, which
was written by Judith Paige Mitchell.
RATING: To Be Announced
* * *
Press Contacts: Andrea Ballas 323/575-2858 andrea.ballas@tvc.cbs.com
Jayna Pakman 212/975-3163 jpakman@cbs.com
