Patricia Heaton Joins World Vision as its First Celebrity Ambassador

LOS ANGELES, CA (July 7, 2016) –

Emmy Award-winning actress Patricia Heaton, currently the star of ABC’s “The Middle” and longtime star of “Everybody Loves Raymond,” has agreed to join and serve as the founding member of World Vision’s Celebrity Ambassador Network.

Last fall, Heaton launched a new program, “Patricia Heaton Parties” on the Food Network. The program, currently airing its second season, features her favorite party-friendly food and tips for entertaining. The program was nominated for two Daytime Emmy Awards and won for Outstanding Culinary Program.

As a World Vision Celebrity Ambassador, Heaton will partner with the Christian humanitarian organization to raise awareness, funds and additional support for its work serving the poor in nearly 100 countries worldwide.

She also will serve as the celebrity spokesperson for World Vision’s annual Christmas campaign later this year.

A supporter of World Vision for several years, Heaton has appeared on its annual holiday Gift Catalog, voiced a public service advertisement following Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, spoken at World Vision fundraising events and supported the organization’s disaster relief initiatives.

“I am thrilled and honored to be the first Celebrity Ambassador for World Vision. I’ve worked with many wonderful charities, and World Vision stands out as an organization with impeccable accountability, transparency and most importantly, effectiveness,” Heaton said. “For over 60 years, the dedication of everyone at World Vision and their partners around the globe has resulted in millions of lives being saved and changed.”

“Patricia Heaton is a longtime supporter of World Vision, a passionate advocate for vulnerable children and a dear friend,” said Richard Stearns, president of World Vision U.S. “I’m delighted that she’s willing to do even more with us, to leverage her tremendous influence and bring other public figures to the cause of caring for children in need.”

In September 2015, Heaton and her teenage son traveled to Zambia with World Vision. While in Zambia she met with her sponsored child Gracious, visited health clinics, observed clean water programs, met with humanitarian aid workers and helped to assemble bicycles for local residents.

She shared her experience during an appearance on the nationally syndicated talk show “The Doctors” in December 2015.

Heaton cites World Vision’s effective programs and fiscal accountability as two major factors in influencing her support.

“As numerous crises threaten the lives of so many, it’s more important than ever to send our precious dollars to the places that use those contributions the most effectively,” she said. “As an ambassador, I want to spread the word that when anyone sponsors a child through World Vision, 84 percent of every dollar sent to World Vision goes to programs that focus on that child’s protection, health and education, along with other programs that strengthen the family physically, socially and economically. I’m looking forward to joining with my friends in the entertainment industry to spreading the news and advancing the great work of everyone at World Vision!”

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Photos and b-roll available upon request.

About World Vision:
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization conducting relief, development, and advocacy activities in its work with children, families, and their communities in nearly 100 countries to help them reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. For more information, please visit www.WorldVision.org/media-center/ or on Twitter @WorldVisionUSA.

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