A Lifetime of Hope: Sara O'Meara Honored for Child Advocacy Legacy

PALM BEACH, Fla. – February 27, 2026 – In a tribute to over six decades of unwavering dedication to child welfare, Sara O'Meara, co-founder of the national nonprofit Childhelp, is being honored tonight with a Lifetime Achievement Award from Place of Hope. The award is a centerpiece of "A Moment in Time," a gala celebrating Place of Hope's 25th anniversary, held at the Mar-a-Lago club, a venue known for hosting philanthropic events.

The recognition celebrates a monumental career that has shaped the landscape of child abuse prevention and treatment in the United States, while also marking a deepening partnership between two of the sector's most vital organizations.

From Grassroots to National Movement

Sara O'Meara's journey began not in a boardroom, but on the streets of post-war Japan in 1959. She and fellow actress Yvonne Fedderson, on a goodwill tour, encountered a group of 11 Japanese-American children abandoned in the wake of a typhoon. Their immediate response—to establish a home for them—grew into International Orphans, Inc., which soon supported over 100 children and built four orphanages, a hospital, and a school.

This foundational act of compassion set the stage for a lifetime of pioneering work. In 1975, at the end of the Vietnam War, O'Meara and Fedderson were instrumental in coordinating "Operation Babylift" with the U.S. Military, a massive effort that relocated thousands of Vietnamese orphans to adoptive families in the West. Recognizing the dire need for specialized care back home, they established the first Childhelp residential treatment village in Beaumont, California, in 1978, creating a sanctuary exclusively for abused and severely neglected children.

Perhaps their most transformative contribution came in 1982 with the launch of the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline (1-800-4-A-CHILD). As the nation's first 24/7 toll-free crisis line for child abuse, it has since become a lifeline for millions. Staffed by professional counselors and offering support in over 170 languages, the hotline has received more than 3 million contacts, providing critical intervention, information, and referrals to children and adults in crisis.

Their advocacy has been as impactful as their direct service. O'Meara and Fedderson successfully lobbied for the federal government to designate April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a tradition that continues to raise awareness annually. For their tireless efforts, the co-founders have been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize multiple times and have received over 100 awards, including the President's Volunteer Service Lifetime Achievement Award.

Despite the personal accolades, O'Meara remains focused on the collective mission. "Children deserve safe, loving environments and access to services that help them build hopeful futures," O'Meara stated. "This recognition belongs to the countless professionals, volunteers, donors, and partners who dedicate their lives to protecting children every day."

An Unyielding Crisis and a Collaborative Response

The award comes at a time when the work of organizations like Childhelp and Place of Hope is more critical than ever. The fight against child abuse is a persistent battle fought on multiple fronts. Annually, more than four million referrals are made to child protection agencies across the United States, and historical data from the Department of Health and Human Services has shown that child abuse and neglect can claim the lives of up to five children every day.

The COVID-19 pandemic starkly illustrated the fragility of support systems, with the Childhelp hotline experiencing a surge of up to 43% in contact volume as children were isolated from teachers, counselors, and other mandated reporters. This reality underscores the importance of proactive, educational measures. In response, Childhelp developed the Speak Up Be Safe curriculum, an evidence-based program for students from Pre-K to 12th grade that equips them with the knowledge to recognize and report physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, as well as neglect and bullying.

It is within this challenging context that the partnership between Childhelp and Place of Hope gains its significance. Place of Hope, celebrating a quarter-century of service, has been lauded for its own innovative model providing stable housing, education, counseling, and life-skills support for children and families in crisis.

"Sara O'Meara and Yvonne Fedderson's life's work has changed the trajectory for millions of children and families," said Gina Franano, Place of Hope's Vice President of Advancement. "Her leadership and compassion have inspired organizations nationwide, including ours, and we are proud to honor her contributions while continuing to build partnerships that expand care and opportunity for vulnerable children."

Forging a Stronger Future Together

The award ceremony is more than a celebration of past achievements; it represents a commitment to future collaboration. Childhelp plans to expand its programming by integrating some of Place of Hope's successful approaches to family support, transitional services for youth aging out of foster care, and community-based care models. This strategic alliance aims to leverage the unique strengths of both organizations to create a more robust and comprehensive safety net for vulnerable populations.

Franano extended gratitude to those who made the event possible, acknowledging the contributions of Place of Hope's Founder and CEO Charles Bender, as well as key supporters including Congressman Andy Biggs and Cindy Biggs, Robin Friedman, Marla Paxson, and Rosevelt and Shurlin Rawls. This broad base of support highlights the community-wide effort required to address such a complex social issue.

By combining Childhelp's national reach, extensive history, and prevention education expertise with Place of Hope's innovative, localized care models, the partnership promises to enhance the quality and scope of services available to families in need. The evening serves as a powerful testament to a shared commitment among organizations and communities to ensure that every child has the opportunity to grow up safe, supported, and loved.