62nd Annual Christopher Awards to be Presented on May 19

Christopher Awards gala to honor TV/cable programming, feature films, and books for adults & young people that affirm the highest values of the human spirit

News provided by

The Christophers

Mar 31, 2011, 02:35 ET

NEW YORK, March 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- (http://www.myprgenie.com) -- The Christophers announced today that the 62nd annual Christopher Awards ceremony will be held here on Thursday evening, May 19, 2011, at 320 Park Avenue, 35th floor. The Christopher Awards salute media that remind audiences and readers, young and old, of their inherent potential to make a difference and positively influence our world.

"Highlighting what's exemplary in popular culture has been part of The Christophers' mission since we were founded in 1945, and it remains a vital part of our work today," said Mary Ellen Robinson, vice president of The Christophers.

"The writers, producers, directors and illustrators that we're honoring this year -- and that we've been honoring for more than 60 years -- are changing the world by creating works that awaken hope instead of despair, acknowledge sacrifice in the service of a greater good, and light a candle instead of curse the darkness," said Tony Rossi, producer of the Christopher Awards.

To date, more than 1,350 filmmakers, authors and illustrators have won Christopher Awards. Special Christopher Awards have also singled out such individual literary and media icons as David McCullough, Dave Brubeck, Elie Wiesel, Mary Higgins Clark, Carroll O'Connor, master puppeteer Caroll "Big Bird" Spinney, dance educator Jacques d'Amboise, and Children's Television Workshop creator Joan Ganz Cooney. Landmark TV programming, including "Sesame Street," "Masterpiece Theatre," "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood," "American Masters," and "Face the Nation," has also been saluted by The Christophers during the past six decades.

The Christophers, a nonprofit organization founded in 1945 by Maryknoll Father James Keller, is rooted in the Judeo-Christian tradition of service to God and humanity. The ancient Chinese proverb - "It's better to light one candle than to curse the darkness" - guides its publishing, radio, leadership and awards programs.

Visit http://www.christophers.org to learn more about The Christophers.

Contact: David Reich, [email protected], 212 573-6000
Contact: Jeanne Byington, [email protected], 212 840-5834

SOURCE The Christophers