BOOK WINS AWARD!
The
Excellence in Media Award (Angel Award TM) was given to the book
Mended by God; The Tony Pack Story. Accepting the 2009 Silver
Angel honor was the book's author, Don Smarto.
This is the author's ninth book, and his first book to receive
an Excellence in Media Award. The award is reviewed by an expert
panel of judges representing The National Association of Broadcasters,
American Women in Radio & Television, The Greater Los Angeles
Press Club, and The National Association of Family & Community
Education.
The Excellence in
Media Award, established in 1980 by Mary Dorr, recognizes family
values and quality in motion pictures, television, radio, and
print. Entries were received from across America and many foreign
countries and awarded for "the highest moral, ethical, and
social impact" according to the EIM staff.
In a statement to author Don Smarto, the Excellence
in Media staff wrote "We applaud you for your excellent book
Mended by God; The Tony Pack Story and your outstanding contribution
to the field of communication. We are pleased to present you with
the Excellence in Media Award. You truly bring excellence to media!"
Robert Abernathy of NBC News received a lifetime
achievement Angel Award and awards were given to the motion pictures
Wall-E, and Chronicles of Narnia, Prince Caspian. Past Angel Award
winners have included Bill Cosby, George Burns, Tom Hanks, Roy
Rogers, Michael Caine, Steve Martin, Donna Douglas, and Art Linkletter.
The EMI staff said of the 2009 winners, "Thank
you for contributing to the advancement of quality in life without
the unnecessary need for violence, profanity, and sexual content
to sell to your audience."
In a phone call from Hollywood February 13th,
an EMI staff member said to Mr. Smarto, "Your book Mended
by God is the type of media that raises our spirits and contributes
to the meaningful and enlightening examination of our lives. Congratulations!"