Bill Clinton to get ‘Father of the Year’ award
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 22: (L-R) Bill Clinton and Chelsea Clinton arrive at “A Night Out With The Millennium Network,” at the Old Vic Tunnels, presented by The Clinton Foundation and The Reuben Foundation. The evening, hosted by Bill Clinton, Chelsea Clinton, Gwyneth Paltrow and Will i Am took place on the 22nd May 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/Getty Images for Clinton Foundation Fundraiser)
Bill Clinton has been picked to be 2013's Father of the Year by the National Father's Day Council for his charitable work helping children around the world.
“We are extremely honored to have President Clinton accept this award for Father of the Year,” Dan Orwig, Chairman of the National Father’s Day Committee, VP, Group Director Men’s Division Itochu Prominent, said in a press release.
“With the profound generosity, leadership and tireless dedication to both his public office and many philanthropic organizations, President Clinton exemplifies the attributes that we celebrate through the father of the year award.”
The award honors Clinton's work through his William J. Clinton Foundation, which strives to "improve global health, promote healthier childhoods and protect the environment" and for bringing "global leaders together to work on the most pressing issues."
Since leaving the White House, the 42nd president has worked for a number of charitable organizations and became a leader in helping to rebuild Haiti after a series of devastating events.
In 2009, he was named UN Special Envoy for Haiti to assist the island's government and people “build back better” after a series of hurricanes destroyed much of the country. A year later, he organized Clinton Foundation resources to give immediate and long term help following the deadly earthquake that killed an estimated 316,000 Haitians.
In addition to helping children across the globe, the award probably comes a little close to home for the former President. Clinton and his wife, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, have doted on their only daughter, 32-year-old Chelsea.
According to USA Today, in the run up to Chelsea's 2010 wedding to Marc Mezvinsky, the 42nd President said walking her down the aisle was "the most important job I'll ever have."
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