The Support Center for Child Advocates, the nation's oldest and largest pro bono program dedicated exclusively to providing free legal and social services to abused children, will honor distinguished advocates for children at its 32nd Annual Benefit Reception.

Jim Murray, the Co-founder of the Ronald McDonald House and former General Manger of the Philadelphia Eagles, will receive the 2009 Judge Lois G. Forer Child Advocacy Award.

A Special Recognition Award will also be presented to Academy Award-Nominated Film Director Lee Daniels for raising awareness of child abuse though his two poignant films, Precious (Based on the novel Push by Sapphire), which features Lenny Kravitz, Mo'Nique, Mariah Carey, Sherri Shepard, Gabourey Sidibe and Paula Patton, and The Woodsman, which stars Kevin Bacon, Kyra Sedgwick, and Mos Def.

The reception will be held on Wednesday, April 22, 2009 between 5:00 and 8:00 pm in the Crystal Tea Room of The Wanamaker Building with over 500 members of the legal, business, political and civic community in attendance.

The Judge Lois G. Forer Child Advocacy Award celebrates the courageous advocacy of Judge Lois G. Forer on behalf of abused and neglected children. Past recipients include Hillary Rodham Clinton and G. Fred DiBona Jr., among others. The Support Center for Child Advocates will also recognize seven Distinguished Advocates for their unwavering and passionate commitment to children.

Assistant General Counsel at ARAMARK Corporation and Reception Co-Chair Katherine Kelton comments, "The zeal, expertise and leadership of our award recipients inspire a better tomorrow for our most vulnerable children."

Mark Tanner, a Partner at Feldman Shepherd Wohlgelernter Tanner Weinstock & Dodig and Reception Co-Chair adds, "The Annual Benefit Reception is a special evening in which our community pauses to reflect on the triumphs we've made in helping Philadelphia's most vulnerable kids. It rallies all of us for the continued advocacy needed to ensure Philadelphia's children a safe and nurturing future." The award to Jim Murray honors a lifetime of work, including the city's first Ronald McDonald House and the Eagles Fly for Leukemia Campaign.

Frank Cervone, the Support Center for Child Advocates' Executive Director, states, "Our honorees are an extraordinary group of advocates. Their hearts are huge and the impact of their passion is tremendous. We are extremely proud to celebrate their contributions to our kids."

The reception will include cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and a silent auction featuring five-star restaurant certificates, vacation get-a-ways, and sports memorabilia. Tickets are $250.00 per couple.

Find more information and register at www.advokid.org or contact Kristyn DiDominick at 267-546-9211.

The Support Center for Child Advocates teams specially trained volunteer lawyers with staff social workers and consulting attorneys to provide free legal and social services to children in crisis.

Founded in 1977, its mission is to advocate for victims of child abuse and neglect with the goal of securing a permanent and nurturing environment for every child in its care.

Last year, 350 volunteer lawyers teamed with agency staff to provide 24,000 hours of pro bono representation to 762 at-risk boys and girls.