Oscar Night® America 2011 to aid charities in 50 cities

Dec 08, 2010 by Ian Evans

Now in its 18th year, Oscar Night America (ONA), the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ grassroots program that enables local charities to host glamorous Oscar viewing parties and raise money for their organizations, will aid charities in 50 cities.

“Oscar Night has long been an occasion for friends and families to gather and cheer for their favorite films and stars,” said Academy Executive Director Bruce Davis. “This nationwide network of fundraising parties is a natural extension of that shared experience.”

The ONA 2011 locations are Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Boston, Buffalo, Charlottesville, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Grand Rapids (MI), Greensboro/Winston-Salem, Greenville (S.C.), Hartford, Honolulu, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Little Rock, Los Angeles, Louisville, Memphis, Miami, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Nashville, New Orleans, Oklahoma City, Omaha, Orlando, Palm Beach, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Providence, Raleigh, Richmond, Sacramento, St. Louis, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Springfield (MO), Tampa, Tucson and Washington, D.C.

The parties, which are often black-tie affairs, allow the attendees to get the whole Oscar experience, often with red carpet interviews and local celebrities.

Each ONA party receives from the Academy copies of the official commemorative poster and the official Oscar show program.

Last year 51 charities hosted viewing parties for the 82nd Academy Awards, raising more than $3 million, all of it remaining in local communities. With a record 17,497 guests attending nationwide, ONA 2010 benefitted such charities as the American Red Cross, Ronald McDonald House, Special Olympics, the United Way, Starlight Children’s Foundation and the Ellie Fund (breast cancer support services). Since it started back in 1994, the program has generated nearly $30 million in funding for a wide spectrum of charitable organizations.

The Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2010 will be presented on Sunday, February 27, 2011, at the Kodak Theatre. Stick with DigitalHit.com for your 83rd Academy Awards coverage.