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Ms. Foster's support of the organization is both extensive andlongstanding. In 1994, she was the first major donor to provide support forthe production of the short film Trevor. In June 2007, in support of theorganization and to honor her close friend Mr. Stone's memory and spirit, Ms.Foster kicked off a new $1,000,000 call center fundraising campaign with amajor gift, the largest in the organization's history. And, in addition topresenting The Trevor Founders Award, she appears in a short film that is atribute to Mr. Stone, which will be shown at the event as part of herpresentation.
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"I am extremely pleased to have the opportunity to present the firstTrevor Founders Award to Peggy and James in memory of my dearest friend,Randy," said Ms. Foster. "Their inspired decision to establish this vitalorganization and their ongoing commitment to saving young lives are indeedworthy of recognition. The very fact that, after ten years, Trevor continuesto pursue its mission so successfully is a testament not only to the founders'initial vision, but also to the importance of the organization's efforts tohelp desperate young people realize that their lives have value."
Trevor tells the story of a teenager who attempts suicide after realizingthat he might be gay. The film received numerous awards, including the 1994Academy Award(R) for Best Short Film (Live Action). The Trevor Project wasfounded by Ms. Rajski, Mr. Lecesne and Mr. Stone in 1998 immediately precedingthe first nationally televised airing of the film. When HBO(R) decided totelevise Trevor, the filmmakers recognized that some of the program's teenagedviewers might be facing the same kind of crisis faced by the film's leadcharacter and began to search for the telephone number of an appropriatesupport line to broadcast during the airing. Discovering that no such resourceexisted, they decided to dedicate themselves to forming The Trevor Project toaid in suicide prevention among of gay and questioning youth. The organizationimmediately opened The Trevor Helpline (Helpline), which became the first andonly nationwide around-the-clock suicide prevention helpline for that group.
"We are deeply honored to receive The Trevor Founders Award, and knowRandy shares it with us in spirit," said Ms. Rajski and Mr. Lecesne, founders,The Trevor Project. "It's extraordinarily gratifying to know that the smallnon-profit we set up has grown into an organization that now saves lives everyday, through its Helpline, its website and the educational materials it sendsto schools across the country. We look forward to the next decade during whichTrevor will further expand its outreach in order to meet the growing demandfor its critical work."
The Helpline is a free and confidential service that annually helpsthousands of youth who are in crisis and also assists family members,educators and friends seeking information on how to help someone in crisis.Trained counselors, who offer hope and listen without judgment, answer thecalls twenty-four hours a day throughout the year. The Helpline is maintainedby the E
