Gala Announcement: Operation Kids to Recognize John Walsh
In the summer of 1981, John Walsh and his wife Revé were living comfortably in Hollywood, Florida; it was the American dream. Their beautiful six-year-old son Adam was the joy of their lives. But that joy was shattered on July 27, 1981, when Adam was abducted, and later found murdered. The prime suspect in Adam's murder was never charged. He died in prison while serving a life sentence for other crimes, taking the truth to the grave with him.
It wasn't long after Adam's death that the Walsh family turned their grief into positive energy to help missing and exploited children. Battling the resistance of legislative bureaucracy, John and Revé brought about the passage of the Missing Children Act of 1982 and the Missing Children's Assistance Act of 1984. The latter bill founded the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, which maintains a toll-free hotline (1-800-THE-LOST) to report a missing child or the sighting of one.
John Walsh turned a personal tragedy into a driving purpose. His efforts have changed the outlook for missing children and their families across the country. Whether on Capitol Hill or on Fox Television’s “America's Most Wanted,” he has brought recovery and closure to the lives of so many crime victims. His passion and commitment to children is what the Operation Kids Lifetime Achievement Award is all about.
Operation Kids is proud to present the 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award to John Walsh at a formal Gala to be held on October 11, 2008 at the Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City, Utah. Proceeds from the gala will benefit the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, McGruff Safe House program, and Utah Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
Visit this site often to learn more about headline entertainment, honored guests and celebrity attendees. To participate as a donor or sponsor, please contact:
Rick Larsen
rlarsen@operationkids.org