National Fatherhood Initiative Nominates Cuba Gooding, Jr. for a 2008 Fatherhood Award

Cuba Gooding, Jr. received an unexpected early Father's Day gift today when he was nominated for a 2008 Fatherhood Award™ by the National Fatherhood Initiative (NFI). Gooding has been recognized for being a great father to his three children and for his positive portrayal of an involved, responsible, and committed father in an upcoming Sony Pictures release, "Daddy Day Camp," which opens in theaters nationwide on August 8th. Cuba's participation in a 2006 television special for children of deployed parents called, "When Parents are Deployed," also caught the attention of the organization, which does extensive work with military families, and set Cuba apart from other potential celebrity nominees.

Inaugurated in 1998, NFI's Fatherhood Awards™ are presented each year to individuals, corporations and organizations that make a substantial contribution to strengthening involved, responsible and committed fatherhood in their work or personal lives.

"We are pleased to nominate Cuba Gooding, Jr. for a Fatherhood Award™. In his personal life, and now through his work in the film 'Daddy Day Camp,' Cuba sets a positive example of responsible fatherhood," said NFI President, Roland C. Warren. "It is refreshing to see a Hollywood dad who understands that fatherhood is the most important role a man could ever have. NFI's work is to ensure that every child grows up with the love, nurturance, and guidance of their father. For this reason it is a pleasure to nominate a man like Cuba for offering society a standard to emulate."

The 2008 Fatherhood Awards™ will be presented at the Annual Fatherhood Awards™ Gala to be held next June in Washington, D.C. Past Fatherhood Awardees include: actors James Earl Jones, Tom Selleck, and Stephen Collins; renowned authors, Stephen R. Covey; country music superstars Tim McGraw and Buddy Jewell; multi-platinum recording group Lonestar; NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly; former NBA star, Allan Houston; Johnson & Johnson, General Mills, KPMG, and Chevrolet. The 2008 awardees will be announced in January.

The premier fatherhood organization in the country, the National Fatherhood Initiative (NFI) works in every sector and at every level of society to engage dads in the lives of their children. NFI's national public service advertising campaign promoting involved fatherhood has generated over $487 million in donated television, radio, print, Internet, and outdoor advertising. NFI is the recognized leader in the field for developing innovative resources and cutting-edge programs to reach and equip fathers and support those organizations that share this mission. For more information on National Fatherhood Initiative visit http://www.fatherhood.org/.

Daddy Day Camp, the hilarious sequel to the smash hit "Daddy Day Care" finds dads Charlie Hinton and Phil Ryerson (Cuba Gooding Jr., Paul Rae) in another kid-harried adventure as they take over running a summer day camp. Armed with no knowledge of the great outdoors, a dilapidated facility, and a motley group of campers, it doesn't take long before things get out of control. Up against threats of foreclosure and declining enrollment Charlie is forced to call on his estranged father, Col Buck Hinton (Richard Gant) to help bring the camp together and teach everyone about teamwork, perseverance and the power of forgiveness. In Theaters August 8th. http://www.sony.com/daddydaycamp

Contact: Vincent DiCaro

301-948-0599

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SOURCE: TriStar Pictures

CONTACT: Vincent DiCaro of TriStar Pictures, +1-301-948-0599

Web site: http://www.sony.com/daddydaycamp
http://www.fatherhood.org/