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Fred Rogers' Heroes

Date: 1994
Company/Organization: Family Communications, Inc.

Fred Rogers' Heroes: Who's Helping America's Children was a one-hour prime time special for adults hosted by Fred Rogers in 1994 which featured portraits of four individuals whose work with children made them a few of his personal heroes. He describes his admiration for these people in the opening moments of the special:

Most of my childhood heroes wore capes, flew through the air, and picked up buildings with one arm. They were spectacular and got a lot of attention. But as I grew, my heroes changed so that now I can honestly say that anyone who does anything to help a child in this life is a hero to me.

For the past few months I've been visiting with some people who have chosen to work with children in ordinary and extraordinary ways. I'd like you to get to know some of them. Everyone you meet during this hour lives within easy reach of violence and despair, but each has elected to work in hopeful ways embracing the belief that the good may really be true. They are an elementary school principal, an inner-city mediator, a dancer, and a farmer-psychologist. They're devoted helpers who have signed on for the long term. People who confirm our best dreams about being human.

Individuals featured as Fred Rogers' heroes include:

  • Glojean Todacheene - Principal of Mesa Elementary School on a Navajo reservation in Shiprock, NM
  • Olomenji O'Connor - Creator of Project Peace, an anti-violence program for children in Chicago's West Side public housing development
  • Carola De La Rocha - Dancer and instructor in Los Angeles, CA
  • Dr. Samuel Ross - Farmer-Psychologist and founder of Green Chimneys, a residential center in upstate New York for the treatment of troubled children

Images

       


Notes

The complete title of this special is Fred Rogers' Heroes: Who's Helping America's Children.


Credits

Host: Fred Rogers
Producer: Margaret Whitmer
Still Photograher: Lynn Johnson
Original Music: Michael Moricz
Production Designer: Mark Friedman & Associates
Art Director: Kathryn Borland
Production Coordinator: Marisa Costa
Production Assistant: Matt Meko

Shiprock, NM
Producer: Elizabeth Nadas Seamans
Editor: Michael Colonna
Camera: Mark Knobil, Richard Schutte
Audio: Ken King

Chicago, IL
Producers: Royal Kennedy, Lynne Squilla
Editor: Dave Burkett
Camera: Kimmer Olesak, Del Hall
Audio: Rich Pooler
Production Crew: Lee Hart, Peter Horowitz
Production Assistant: Melanie Williams

Los Angeles, CA
Producers: Jean Victor, Elizabeth Nadas Seamans
Editors: David Cohen, Graham Dent
Camera: Phil Burchell, Randy Rogers, Michael Messenheimer
Audio: Gary Heimann, Ron Malo, Terry Taylor
Assistant to the Producer: Evelyn Rodos
Production Assistant: Maria Sanchez

Brewster, NY
Producer: Lynne Squilla
Editor: Doug Bradley
Camera: Doug Bradley, Desmond Horsefield
Audio: Steve Wahlenmeyer
Grip: Mark Laganga

Studio Production
Director: Gary Hines
Technical Director: Ralph Seigler
Lighting Director: Frank Warninsky
Video: Tom Deluga
Camera: Art Vogel, Don McCall
Audio: Jerry Cobbs
Videotape: Dennis Williams
Floor Manager: Kate Kearney
On-Line Editors: Kevin Conrad, Paul Byers
On-Line Audio: Dennis Williams, Bob Millslagle
Executive Producers: Fred Rogers, Sam Newbury

Produced in association with WQED/Pittsburgh
A Production of Family Communications
© 1994 Family Communications, Inc.

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Corner image by Spencer Fruhling. Used with permission.
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