Tom Hanks, Savannah Guthrie to Present Top Honor Posthumously to Bob Hope during Elizabeth Dole Foundation Celebration of Military Caregivers
Washington, D.C. (December 5, 2024)— The Elizabeth Dole Foundation will host its annual Heroes & History Makers Celebration on Tuesday, December 10 at 7:00 p.m. at The Anthem in Washington, D.C. with Hidden Heroes Campaign Chair Tom Hanks and Chief National Hidden Heroes Ambassador, TODAY co-anchor Savannah Guthrie. The event will bring together national leaders and cultural icons for a night paying tribute to the service of America’s military and veteran caregivers. The top honor of the evening, the Tom Hanks Caregiver Champion Award, will be presented posthumously to entertainment icon and legendary entertainer of the troops, Bob Hope. Linda Hope, daughter of Bob & Dolores Hope, will accept the award on his behalf.
The celebration will remember the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and feature Hidden Heroes Ambassador, actor and director Jocko Sims, with a special message from Senator Elizabeth Dole, and a performance by members of the American Pops Orchestra. The evening will also include the presentation of a specially adapted vehicle to a caregiver and her family, courtesy of a foundation sponsor.
**Media are invited to cover the event and must RSVP by December 6. Media risers and a mult box will be available.***
***A limited number of media interviews with program participants will be available by advance request and cannot be guaranteed due to scheduling. Due to the Foundation’s nonprofit status, participants will be available only for questions regarding the event.***
Heroes & History Makers is the Foundation’s annual tribute to America’s 14.3 million military and veteran caregivers, the loved ones who voluntarily care for wounded, ill, and injured service members and veterans at home. The Caregiver Champion Award was named for Tom Hanks in recognition of his extraordinary support of military caregivers. The Tom Hanks Caregiver Champion Award has previously been presented to former First Lady Michelle Obama, music superstar Tim McGraw, actor and humanitarian Gary Sinise, Savannah Guthrie, and actor and Marine Corps veteran Adam Driver. The event has featured performances by Rita Wilson, Chris Young, and The War & Treaty.
MEDIA INFORMATION:
Media must RSVP in advance due to expected interest. RSVPs and interview requests should be sent to Haylee Sigafoose at hsigafoose@susandavis.com, 202-414-0799 by December 6, 2024.
Check-in will take place at The Anthem, 901 Wharf St. SW, Washington, DC 20024, at 6:00 p.m. All press must be checked in and set up by 6:45 p.m.
Heroes & History Makers is made possible by presenting sponsor USAA and support from:
AARP, Bob & Dolores Hope Foundation, Diana Davis Spencer Foundation, Pritzker Military Museum & Library, Prudential, Reach Resilience, Senator Elizabeth Dole, TriWest, Amazon Web Services, American Airlines, Booz Allen Hamilton, EMD Serono, Hilton, Oracle Health, Philips, TikTok, Wounded Warrior Project, Humana Military, IBM, JPMorgan Chase, Leidos, Lockheed Martin, McKinsey & Company, BCG, Blue Water Thinking, Brighton Marine, CVS, Fox Corporation, Maximus, MTSI, Otsuka, Anna Palmer & Patrick Mellody, Robin Portman & Family, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Shein, Wellpoint Federal, and Wells Fargo.
About Elizabeth Dole Foundation
The Elizabeth Dole Foundation is the preeminent organization empowering, supporting, and honoring our nation’s 14.3 million military and veteran caregivers – the spouses, parents, family members, and friends — who care for America’s wounded, ill, or injured service members and veterans at home. Founded by Senator Elizabeth Dole in 2012, the Foundation adopts a comprehensive approach in its support and advocacy, working with leaders in the public, private, nonprofit, and faith communities to recognize military caregivers’ service and support their well-being. The Foundation’s Hidden Heroes Campaign brings vital attention to the untold stories of military caregivers and provides a network for military caregivers to connect with their peers and access carefully vetted resources. Visit elizabethdolefoundation.org for more information.