Cast Members of "General Hospital" Partner with Hollywood for Habitat for Humanity and Invite Fans to Join Them to Build a Home for the Holidays

    LOS ANGELES, CA, November 03, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- An online campaign to fund and build a home for a deserving family in need was announced this morning by twelve cast members of "General Hospital," (GH) in partnership with Hollywood for Habitat for Humanity (HFHFH). "The House That General Hospital Fans Built" campaign at http://www.habitatla.org/gh unites the philanthropic actors and their fans to further Habitat for Humanity's mission of providing safe and decent housing for all, by giving GH fans the chance to join the actors as they raise the funds and the walls for a home in Los Angeles this holiday season. GH fans are encouraged to contribute to "The House That General Hospital Built" through donations and online auctions and by leaving personal messages for the family that will move into the home upon its completion. Each actor involved has also recorded personal video messages in support of the appeal, which can be found exclusively on the program site.

On December 12, Lexi Ainsworth ("Kristina Davis"), Bradford Anderson ("Damien Spinelli"), Brandon Barash ("Johnny Zacchara"), Julie Berman ("LuLu Spencer"), Jane Elliot ("Tracy Quartermaine"), Nancy Lee Grahn ("Alexis Davis"), Lisa LoCicero ("Olivia Falconeri"), Ronnie Marmo ("Ronnie Dimestico"), Nathan Parsons ("Ethan Lovett"), Kristen Storms ("Maxie Jones"), Jason Thompson ("Patrick Drake"), and Dominic Zamprogna ("Dante Falconeri") will join Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles for an invitation-only, private event where they will build alongside the future homeowners. Details on how fans can win a chance to build alongside their favorite stars can be found at http://www.habitatla.org/gh.

"Lisa and I have spoken with several Habitat for Humanity families about their previous living conditions, and we have seen firsthand the difference that Habitat makes to each family that moves into a new Habitat home," says Brandon Barash. "We encourage everyone to participate in "The House That General Hospital Fans Built" by donating, bidding on the auctions, sending in a message to the family, or by doing all three."

Lisa LoCicero adds, "After Brandon and I saw how Habitat changes lives, we were inspired to get our colleagues and fans involved. The initial response we got was so positive it was almost overwhelming. Many generous people will be getting their hands dirty in December, but whether you are building that day or not, all who contribute will forever be a part of The House That General Hospital Fans Built."

All donations in support of "The House That General Hospital Fans Built" are welcome - from $5 that will buy a box of nails to $1,500 that will provide enough drywall for the entire house, no donation is too big or too small. Once a donation is made, a message can be left for the future homeowners, and all messages will be placed directly on the walls of the home. Photos of the actors in front of the "message wall" will be sent to all donors who send a message. "The House That General Hospital Built" online auction (which runs through November 24) allows fans to bid on a chance to build alongside each of the twelve participating cast members at the exclusive build event on December 12. Fans are encouraged to check http://www.habitatla.org/gh often as additional ways to win a chance to build will be added to the site shortly, and new videos will be added frequently.

"The actors created "The House That General Hospital Fans Built" so that they could build a home for a Habitat for Humanity family, and directly involve their fans, every step of the way," said Allison Winkler, Vice President of Music and Talent Partnerships, HFHFH. "While 'home' may mean something a little bit different to everyone, having a safe and decent home is important to everyone. We are very grateful that the collaborative efforts of this extraordinarily generous group of actors and their fans will result in a 'home for the holidays' that will undoubtedly transform the lives of a family in Los Angeles."

To support "The House That General Hospital Fans Built" please visit www.habitatla.org/gh.

HOLLYWOOD FOR HABITAT FOR HUMANITY (HFHFH) is an entertainment industry partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles that launched in 2000 with a 20 house "blitz build." HFHFH was founded by Screenwriter/Director Randall Wallace (Braveheart, We Were Soldiers) to encourage the entertainment industry to support Habitat for Humanity's goal of eliminating substandard housing worldwide. HFHFH works with talent and industry leaders who support the organization through donations, volunteer hours and advocacy. Thousands of volunteers from the entertainment industry have helped build homes in the United States and around the world. www.hollywoodforhabitat.com

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF GREATER LOS ANGELES strives to eliminate poverty housing through advocacy, education and partnership with families in need to build simple, decent affordable housing. Since 1990, HFH GLA has built and renovated over 600 homes locally and worldwide, transforming the lives of hundreds of individuals. For more information, visit www.habitatla.org.

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