AARP’S Picking Up The Pieces TV and Radio Specials Recognized with Two Gracie Awards®
Source: AARP Press Center | 2009-06-04
June 4, 2009
Contact: AARP Media Relations, 202-434-2560, media@aarp.org
NEW YORK, NY – AARP today announced that its nationally acclaimed documentary Picking Up the Pieces has been recognized by the American Women in Radio & Television (AWRT) with two Gracie Awards®. Jane Pauley, who hosted the AARP TV special, accepted the award for Best Public Affairs Program along with executive producer Kimberly Sedmak on behalf of AARP; Janelle Haskell, manager of AARP’s radio programming, accepted the award for Best Mid-Length National Radio Documentary, also for Picking Up the Pieces.
“Unfortunately we all too often hear about severely wounded veterans as they return home from the war, but we wanted to tell the stories of the thousands of families that are affected and find themselves unexpectedly in the caregiver role,” said Sedmak. “We’re honored to receive this recognition and to see such an important topic get the attention it deserves.”
Produced by AARP TV and hosted by Jane Pauley, the Picking Up the Pieces television special profiles two wounded soldiers and their parents who have become their permanent caregivers. The special also includes interviews with ABC News anchor Bob Woodruff and his wife Lee, which focuses on their family’s journey to healing after Bob was severely wounded by a roadside bomb in 2006 while reporting on U.S. and Iraqi security forces.
The Picking Up the Pieces radio documentary features profiles of four families whose sons were severely injured and who experienced many hardships as they cared for their wounded veterans. All of the original interviews and reporting were done by writer/reporter Barry Yeoman. AARP's Steve Mencher fashioned the material into the compelling radio documentary recognized with this Gracie award.
AARP launched the Picking Up the Pieces multimedia initiative to delve into the topic of caregiving for severely wounded veterans in May, 2008. This project was originated by Karen Reyes (AARP The Magazine) and consisted of the half-hour television special, an investigative article in the July/August 2008 issue of AARP the Magazine, a Web site dedicated to the topic of family caregivers and wounded war veterans, and the prime time radio documentary. Picking Up the Pieces is available online at www.aarp.org/Iraqvets.
The Gracie Awards®, established in 1975, honor programming and individuals of the highest caliber in all facets of radio, television, cable and web-based media, including news, drama, comedy, commercials, public service, documentary and sports. Each year the Gracies recognize exemplary programming created for women, by women and about women in all facets of media and entertainment, as well as individuals who have made contributions to the industry.
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world's largest-circulation magazine with over 35.5 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's 40 million members and Americans 50+; AARP Segunda Juventud, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
