Telemundo & Verizon partner on Padres Héroes.

Telemundo announced a partnership with Verizon Wireless on Padres Héroes (Parent Heroes), a multi-platform community program designed to celebrate the efforts and sacrifices made by parents to secure a college education for their children. The program is being launched in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Denver, San Diego, Fresno and El Paso.

The issue of students who do not complete high school is one that largely affects the Hispanic community. Telemundo Stations and Verizon Wireless are addressing the issue by supporting education through an initiative that will inspire Telemundo’s viewers to honor the efforts of parents who’ve enriched their children’s lives through education, Padres Héroes. The initiative aims to highlight the importance of educational achievements in the Hispanic community and to motivate parents and students to seek a college education for everyone in their family.

“We have a strong record at Telemundo of inspiring and educating our audiences through the power of television and through our stations’ deep involvement in the community,” said Ron Gordon, President, Telemundo Stations Group. “We are fortunate to be working with Verizon Wireless. Together, we are spreading the message of education, and we have the opportunity to recognize and celebrate an elite group of the Hispanic community’s unsung heroes through the Padres Héroes program.”

A 60-second on-air promotion will launch the Padres Héroes program, featuring an example of the true story of someone who meets all of the Padres Héroes criteria. A 30-second on-air promotion will follow, inviting viewers to visit the Padres Héroes website, www.padresheroes.com. In addition, the program will be featured in segments across Telemundo’s news programming.

Nominations can be made by family members, students, educators, friends, or anyone familiar with the nominee’s tireless efforts on behalf of his/her children’s education. Nominees must be parents, grandparents or any legal guardian that has played a principal role in the development and support of the children and family. The children who are related to the nominee must be enrolled in or have completed an accredited college or university. Those who are nominating someone must be at least 18 years old.

Four winners will be chosen from each participating market, and an honorary awards luncheon will take place in Los Angeles in December 2009. 

Padres Héroes are hard-working parents who have managed to put their children through college with their dedication and tremendous personal sacrifices.  Although they may work two or three jobs each day to make ends meet, they find opportunities to be strong role models for their children. Padres Héroes maintain involvement in their children’s education by attending parent-teacher conferences, ensuring that their children do their homework, and inspiring them to dream of attending college.