Citizens Helping Heroes Announces Inaugural Event Honoring Military Families and Wounded Service Members: 2009 Heroes Red, White & Blue Inaugural Ball

Citizens Helping Heroes Announces Inaugural Event Honoring Military Families and Wounded Service Members: 2009 Heroes Red, White & Blue Inaugural Ball

Tuesday, January 20, 2009 - 8PM to 2AM at Warner Theatre

Super Producer Nile Rodgers Arranges 3-Hour Tribute Concert

Humana Military Healthcare Services is Title Sponsor

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Citizens Helping Heroes, Inc. (CHH) announced details today for the "2009 Heroes Red, White & Blue Inaugural Ball" celebrating this historic moment in our democracy and honoring America's wounded military heroes and families of the fallen. As in 2005, Award Winning Super Producer and Chart-Topping Hit Maker Nile Rodgers, will produce a three-hour tribute concert for honored guests, including wounded service members, their families, decorated American war veterans and VIPs.

The Heroes Red, White & Blue Inaugural Ball takes place Tuesday, January 20, 2009 at the Warner Theatre in Washington, DC, with Red Carpet availability beginning at 5PM, Celebrity - Press Interviews 5PM to 7PM, Cocktails 6PM, Tribute Concert & Performance at 8PM and an After Party from 11PM to 2AM.

The title sponsor of the event is Humana Military Healthcare Services (HMHS), proud Department of Defense-contracted administrator of cost-effective, high-quality TRICARE healthcare to more than 2.8 million active duty and retired military and their eligible family members in the 10-state South Region and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. HMHS is a wholly owned subsidiary of Humana Inc., headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky and one of the nation's largest publicly traded health benefits companies, with approximately 11.7 million medical members.

A VIP cocktail reception begins at 6PM followed by a star studded tribute concert and performance with musicians and celebrities. An exclusive After Party follows the concert from 11PM to 2AM, featuring the legendary sounds of disco and R&B band CHIC, formed in 1977 by Rodgers, who has worked with internationally recognized artists Diana Ross, David Bowie, Eric Clapton, Duran Duran and Madonna.

"I am honored to pay tribute to our heroes and military families once again," said Rodgers. "In a sense, the Heroes Ball is America's ball, bringing people together in the spirit of my song 'We Are Family,' to celebrate our troops and the Inaugural process made possible by the freedoms they defend at such a high price and sacrifice."

"The excitement from the entertainment industry grows daily, with dozens of industry giants performing to honor this historic occasion and the troops," Rodgers continued. "You can bet that the Heroes Ball will be a powerful and emotionally heightened collaboration of influential artists, luminaries and friends, performing to their utmost on Inauguration night."

As in 2005, the non-political tribute concert will be taped and aired on the Armed Forces Network and the Pentagon Channel to 2.4 million military personnel around the world. CHH is currently negotiating broadcast and webcast of the magnificent event.

The evening benefits two military support organizations: Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and the USO. Every ticket sold enables the organizers to provide a ticket pro bono to a service member and military families. Further ticket information will be released shortly.

Additional event sponsors include: GEICO, International Union Of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT), Gibson Guitars, Suarez Consulting, Inc. (SCI), Enterra Solutions, Blue Lotus Group and the Washington Company. Sponsorship opportunities for the Heroes Red, White & Blue Inaugural Ball & Concert remain available.

Heroes Ball Founders and Executive Directors Chris Thompson and Chris Larsin are organizing a Host Committee of Washington CEOs supporting military families, anchored by AOL Vice Chairman Emeritus and philanthropist Ted Leonsis and Steve Westly, Former California State Controller and California Co-Chair, Obama for America. The committee will also include Members of Congress and decorated, retired military VIPs.

   TIP SHEET *:    WHAT: The 2009 Heroes Red, White & Blue Inaugural Ball   WHERE: The Warner Theatre, 513 13th Street NW, Washington, DC   WHEN: Tuesday, January 20, 2009; 8PM to 2AM; Red Carpet Availability Begins at 5PM   ***Participating artists in the tribute concert to be announced soon.***   * Planned event times, subject to final arrangements   

SPONSORSHIPS: Contact Barb Dickey at 202-248-4406, mailto:bdickey@heroball.org or visit http:///www.heroball.org.

About Citizens Helping Heroes, Inc.

Citizens Helping Heroes, Inc. (http:///www.heroball.org) is a 501(c)(3), nonpolitical, nonpartisan, organization dedicated to supporting military families during difficult times of service to our country. Our mission is to raise civilian awareness about the unique struggles facing these families. CHH's goal is to raise public recognition of the sacrifices made by military families and to provide support to them, as well as to organizations such as the United Service Organization of Metropolitan Washington (USO Washington, DC), and the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS).

About HMHS

HMHS, headquartered in Louisville, KY., has been a Department of Defense contractor for the administration of the TRICARE program since July 1, 1996. In August 2003, HMHS was awarded the contract to provide health benefits support and services to approximately 2.8 million active duty and retired military and their eligible family members in the 10-state South Region. HMHS was also awarded the Department of Defense's contract to provide healthcare services and support for active duty service members and their families located in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, in February 2004.

The Heroes Ball will Benefit:

TAPS (http:///www.taps.org), which stands for Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors is a one of a kind non-profit Veteran Service Organization offering hope, healing, comfort and care to thousands of American armed forces families facing the death of a loved one each year. Over the years, thousands of families have turned to TAPS for a support system that they so rightfully deserve.

USO (www.uso.org) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) serving those who serve and their families and providing morale, welfare and recreation services to our men and women in uniform. The original intent of Congress--and enduring style of USO delivery--is to represent the American people by extending a touch of home to the military, whether it is bringing in a celebrity to brighten the day of a patient in the hospital or a moon bounce at Deployed Family Fun Day.

                         Citizens Helping Heroes, Inc.                     2924 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20007                      Ph: 202-248-4406; mailto:info@heroball.org                           http://www.heroball.org/  

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Citizens Helping Heroes, Inc.

CONTACT: Carrie Foster, CHH, +1-703-417-2705, carrie@lindarothpr.com; or
Julie Ice, Humana, +1-502-301-6982, jice@humana.com

Web Site: http://www.heroball.org/

NOTE TO EDITORS: Media attending must submit credentials request by January 14, 2009. To inquire about credentialing, contact Carrie Foster at Linda Roth Associates, Inc. at 703-417-2705 or mailto:carrie@lindarothpr.com.

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Profile: International Entertainment