Founded in 1959 as International Orphans, Inc.[1] by Sara O'Meara and Yvonne Fedderson, Childhelp is one of the largest non-profit child abuse prevention and treatment organizations in the nation.

Through various community outreach efforts, Childhelp has tried to increase awareness about child abuse and, in 2000, established the National Day of Hope.

Over the years Childhelp became one of the largest child abuse prevention and treatment non-profit organizations and operate today as chairman and CEO (Sara) and President (Yvonne).

Sara and Yvonne have been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for five consecutive years from 2005 to 2009, receiving endorsements from prestigious figures such as former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor and former First Lady Barbara Bush.

As a board member for the International Union for Child Welfare, she was the sole United States representative among First Ladies and ministers of numerous nations.

Endorsements for the prestigious nomination include letters from U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor and former First Lady Barbara Bush, along with numerous politicians, educators and corporate executives.

Endorsements for the prestigious nomination include letters from U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor and former First Lady Barbara Bush, along with numerous politicians, educators, and corporate executives.

In 2003 Sara O'Meara and Yvonne Fedderson published the book Silence Broken: Moving From a Loss of Innocence to a World of Healing and Love.

After witnessing his parents murder his sister, the little boy became totally silent and traveled through 15 different foster homes before finally ending up at the Village.

After days, the man in charge of the Village's animal therapy program took the little boy to the barn and told him that "Chocolate," a pony, was now his responsibility.

The organization first took roots in Japan in 1959 under the name of International Orphans to help the unwanted children of American soldiers and Japanese women.

[10] In 1959 Sara and Yvonne traveled to Tokyo, Japan on a goodwill tour for the American troops stationed there after a large typhoon hit the region.

Returning to California, the actresses began to raise funds among friends and their families, as well as the film community to care for the children.

From that beginning grew International Orphans Incorporated, an organization that eventually built four orphanages, caring for thousands of abandoned Japanese-American children.

Over the years the organization has broadened its facilities, incorporated previously established programs and helped bring them to a national audience and educated the public.

The hotline also provides information and referrals to thousands of emergency, social service and support resources under complete confidentiality and anonymity.

Both villages, located in rural communities in California and Virginia provide specialized, comprehensive treatment programs for court-referred, severally abused, neglected and at-risk children.

Underwritten by Olympic Consultants, the Foundation for Global Sports Development, this innovative program is a direct response to abuse in youth athletics.

Designed as a positive and fun way to embed lifesaving concepts through activity and motion, Childhelp Blow the Whistle on Child Abuse educates coaches, parents, educators and community members about the signs and symptoms of child abuse while teaching children ways to protect themselves against predators.

The organization also holds numerous charity events year-long that draw in public donations and create strong community awareness.

[15] Held in Washington, D.C., on the first Wednesday of April (Child Abuse Prevention Month) every year, the event regularly draws the support and participation of numerous members of the United States Congress.

Over several decades and with the help of Sara O'Meara and Yvonne Fedderson's history as Hollywood actresses, Childhelp has drawn numerous celebrities and everyday volunteers to support the organization's cause, promote it in the media, attend special fund raising events, and give up their time and talents for a noteworthy cause.

Notable active celebrity ambassadors include Kathie Lee Gifford, Casper Van Dien and Catherine Oxenberg, Jane Seymour and Mary Costa.

Children ages 7–14 were challenged to create the design to appear on the pillow, which was revealed in April 2007 in connection with Child Abuse Prevention Month.

The following are or have been Childhelp Advocacy Ambassadors:[18] Susan Anton, The Bellamy Brothers, Bertrand Berry, Pat Boone, Joyce Bulifant, Gary Collins, Carol Connors, Mary Costa, Norm Crosby, John D'Aquino, Phyllis Diller, Ami Dolenz, Ralna English, Rhonda Fleming, Raymond Floyd, David Foster, Glenn Frey, Leeza Gibbons, Kathie Lee Gifford, Melissa Gilbert, Peri Gilpin, Amy Grant, Lee Greenwood, Mary Hart, Florence Henderson, Tyler Hoechlin, Crystal Hunt, Anne Jeffreys, David Keith, Megyn Kelly, Cheryl Ladd, Carol Lawrence, Mario Lopez, Ron Masak, Mary Ann Mobley, Phil Morris, Nancy O'Dell, Jamie O'Neal, Merlin Olsen, Catherine Oxenberg, Matthew Perry, Sasha Pieterse, Jimmy Pinchak, Collin Raye, Mackenzie Rosman, Jack Scalia, Andrea Schroder, Rick Schroder, Laura Schlessinger, Jane Seymour, T. G. Sheppard, John Stamos, Connie Stevens, George Stults, Alan Thicke, Linda Thompson, Pam Tillis, Heather Tom, Kathleen Turner, Casper Van Dien, Phil Vassar, Caitlin Wachs, Betty White, Barbara Young, Steve Young, Jack Youngblood, Efrem Zimbalist, Jr.