Actor,
musician and comedian Jamie Foxx ("Collateral,"
"Ray"), who was adopted, hosts and performs on the sixth annual
A HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS, a new entertainment special
to be broadcast Wednesday, Dec. 22 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the
CBS Television Network. Rod Stewart, Black
Eyed Peas, Ashlee Simpson, Train,
Kenny G., Chaka Khan and Jamie
Foxx perform and Jamie Lee Curtis, Dennis
Quaid, Rene Russo and Bruce Willis
present inspirational stories about adoption.
Following the success of the past five 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 from some of today's most popular
performers. Rod Stewart performs "What A Wonderful World"
from his album Stardust...The Great American Songbook: Volume III,
in addition to a special duet with Jamie Foxx; Black Eyed Peas perform
"Let's Get It Started" and "Where is The Love?"
from their album Elephunk; Ashlee Simpson performs her smash
hit "Pieces of Me" from her album Autobiography; Train performs
"Calling All Angels" from their album Alive at Last;
Kenny G. and the legendary Chaka Khan perform the duet "Beautiful"
from Kenny's album At Last... The Duets Album and Jamie Foxx
performs "Heaven," an original song that he wrote.
Several
pre-taped story segments are 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 Wilkins Family: Valinda Wilkins, a hospital research coordinator,
knew that she wanted to have children some day. Although she initially
had concerns about raising a child on her own, she decided to inquire
about adoption. In 1997, she attended an adoption festival where she
met 3-year-old Ravin, who had lived in foster homes since birth. After
Ravin turned six, Valinda decided to adopt again. She thought she would
adopt a single child until she saw Vyctoria and Angelina. Placed in
foster care as toddlers, the future for 7-year-old Vyctoria and her
6-year-old sister Angelina grew more uncertain. "I felt drawn to
Vyctoria and Angelina because their eyes reflected such loneliness,"
said Valinda. When the girls' adoption was finalized in 2000, Valinda
knew they would never have to feel alone again.
The
Zito Family: Dave and Brenda Zito were married in 1994 and had their
first daughter, Chloe, two years later. On her third birthday, Chloe
told her parents that she wished for a "sister to love like you
love me." The couple had been trying to get pregnant again, without
success. After learning how many foster children need a permanent loving
home, the Zitos decided to adopt. In 2000, Chloe's Christmas wish came
true when the Zitos adopted 4-year-old Mary and her 3-year-old sister,
Erica. "I knew beyond a doubt that we had done the right thing,"
said Brenda. Today, Chloe, Mary and Erica are as close as can be.
The
Marris Family:
Five-year-old Kassandra was separated from her younger brothers, Albert
and Anthony, as they were shuffled through foster care for several years.
In 2001, she was reunited with her brothers in a new foster home, but
their journey was not over. In December 2003, Kassandra and her brothers
appeared on the fifth annual "A Home for the Holidays" special,
and married couple Thomas and Virginia Marris were watching. The couple
immediately left a message for their social worker. In January 2004,
Virginia and Thomas received the good news that they were to be the
proud parents of Kassandra, Albert and Anthony. "Our house is full
of such wonderful laughter, such amazing love," says Virginia.
Children
Waiting: There are more than one half 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 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 produced by Triage Entertainment and
Goldsmith Entertainment, in association with the Children's Action Network
and the Dave Thomas Foundation. Karen Mack, Stu Schreiberg, Stephen
Kroopnick and Marilyn Seabury are the executive producers; Kimberly
Steer is the supervising producer. Michael Simon directed the special,
which was written by Eugene Pack.
Press Contacts:
Andrea Ballas 323/575-2858 andrea.ballas@tvc.cbs.com
Phoebe
Glassner 212/975-3148 pglassner@cbs.com