Artist Ambassador Julianne Moore reads to a class in Kentucky. Credit: Laurence L. Levin

WESTPORT, Conn. (Jan. 29, 2009) — Actress Julianne Moore, Save the Children's ambassador for US programs, is encouraging kids to help kids this Valentine's Day, by sending cards that will make a difference for the one in five children who live in poverty in rural America.

"We're living in a country where every child should have an equal opportunity," said Moore, on a recent media tour to promote Save the Children's Valentine's Day cards. "The only way to give these children opportunity is through education, and Save the Children is helping us reach that goal.  I've seen these programs, in some of the poorest, most remote communities in America, and I know they work."

Moore created this campaign with Save the Children last year, designing cards that feature children's artwork. This year, she asked some of the children's book illustrators that she admires most to design exclusive Valentine's Day cards, available only through Save the Children. Both the children's artwork and the illustrators' designs are available in boxes of 28 cards for a donation of $25. Orders must be made by Feb. 4, 2009.

"I was so excited by the response I received from some of the best-loved children's illustrators in the country," said Moore, who has two school-aged children. "Every mother has to go out and buy enough Valentine's Day cards for a classroom of kids each year, so why not choose these delightful designs that make a difference for children in our country, at a time when they really need our help?"

Illustrators who created cards for the Save the Children Valentine's Day campaign include Ian Falconer (the Olivia the Pig series), Kevin Henkes (Lily's Purple Plastic Purse), Mo Willems (Leonardo the Terrible Monster), Brian Selznick (The Invention of Hugo Cabret), Marla Frazee (A Couple of Boys Have Their Best Week Ever), Rosemary Wells (Max and Ruby, Noisy Nora) and LeUyen Pham (Freckleface Strawberry by Julianne Moore).

Save the Children began work in the United States in 1932, to help the coal mining families of Appalachia during the Great Depression. Today, Save the Children provides health and education programs to thousands of children and teens in the United States.

Media Contact: Steven Fisher, 646-696-8700; sfisher@savechildren.org

Save the Children (www.savethechildren.org) is the leading, independent organization creating lasting change for children in need in the United States and around the world. For more than 75 years, Save the Children has worked to improve the lives of children and their families through programs in health, education and economic opportunities, and during times of crisis and conflict. Save the Children USA is a member of the International Save the Children Alliance, a global network of 27 independent Save the Children organizations working to ensure the well-being and protection of children in more than 100 countries.