(Released August 15, 2009)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Celebrity Educational Fund To Be Part Of
Tamale Festival and Latino International Film Festival
Indio, California
December 4-6, 2009

The managing director of the National Hispanic American Educational Fund, Gerald A. Vukas, announced today that the Fund has named Craig Prater of Palm Springs as the Fund's Coachella Valley's Student Educational Awards Chairman. The Fund is a non-profit national organization whose president, the multi Emmy and Golden Globe nominated actress Liz Torres, who, along with a group of nationally recognized Hispanic leaders, such as Henry Cisneros, Dolores Huerta, Esai Morales, Bademar Velasquez, Lupe Ontiveros, Cristina Saralegui, Wilmer Valderrama, and others, established the Fund over a decade ago to assist Hispanic high school seniors going to college by providing them with financial grants.

Torres stated, "We are honored and very fortunate to have Mr. Prater helm our efforts in the Coachella Valley. He has long been associated with numerous worthwhile endeavors which continue to enhance this community and serve its citizens. Education is the most important aspect of a child's development outside of the home and we look forward to Mr. Prater's outreach into the community to make this a very successful undertaking on behalf of Valley students."

The Awards, seven in all, will be given out as a part of this year's closing night activities (December 6, 2009) at the Latino International Film Festival (December 3-6, 2009) which will be one of this year's highlights at the Tamale Festival on December 5-6, 2009. Students are selected based on their community service and who will be studying at a university or college in Science and Technology, Education and Public Service, Health and Human Services, Law, Sports, Business and Finance, and Vocational Ed Programs.

Mr. Prater stated, "The Fund is seeking Valley area businesses, individuals and community groups to underwrite and present the Awards in each category." Previous Fund sponsors include: AOL Time Warner, comedienne George Lopez and his wife Ann, Sodexho, and Arizona State University among others.

For additional information and sponsorship opportunities inquires should be directed locally to Craig Prater at 760-831-7349.

Press Release - August 15th, 2009