Retrospective Childhelp More than 6 Decades

RETROSPECTIVE Protecting Children for More Than 60 Years

Headquartered in Scottsdale, Childhelp is the nation’s oldest and largest nonprofit dedicated to fighting child abuse and neglect. This commitment began in 1959, when founders Sara O’Meara and Yvonne Fedderson were two young Hollywood actresses in Japan on a benefit tour for the troops. The pair encountered 11 homeless orphans, and all of their lives were forever changed.

With help from servicemen and friends, the two provided for those children; and their work expanded into South Vietnam; building and supplying five orphanages, a hospital and a school. With the eventual draw-down of US troops; there came uncertain futures for the

Michael Landon speaks at the groundbreaking of Children’s Village USA, now known as the Childhelp Merv Griffin Village.

Once stateside, a request from Nancy Reagan prompted Sara and Yvonne to use their influence to address ‘America’s best kept secret’ – child abuse. In 1978, the organization opened Children’s Village USA (now Childhelp Merv Griffin Village). A few years later, the lines opened at the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline – 1-800-4-A-CHILD – the first and only national hotline devoted to child abuse issues. This hotline operates today with professional counselors staffed 24/7 to answer calls, texts and online chats.

With brick and mortar facilities in California, Virginia, Tennessee, Arizona and the District of Columbia; and programs and services impacting every state, Childhelp has served more than 10.5 million children through its mission to meet the physical, emotional, educational and spiritual needs of abused, neglected and at-risk children.

Marines help Founders Sara O’Meara and Yvonne Fedderson pack supplies for orphans overseas.

Billy, Caitlin and John Stamos present a check to Sara O’Meara and Yvonne Fedderson for Childhelp.

Yvonne Fedderson (left) and Sara O’Meara pose with President Jimmy Carter.