Redstone Donates $700K for Cambodian Children

Sumner Redstone's charitable foundation announced today a $700,000 grant to the Cambodian Children's Fund, a nonprofit program that provides health and educational services to impoverished and abused children in Cambodia's capital city of Phnom Penh.

The gift brings the 89-year-old media magnate's commitment to CCF to $3.4 million, according to a spokesman for the charity, which provides at-risk Cambodian children with a home, education, clean water, nutrition, health care and community support.

"Cambodian Children's Fund not only provides some of the most destitute children of Cambodia with a comprehensive education, but goes even further, providing the essentials of shelter and nutritional meals that are necessary for learning to take place," Redstone said in a statement.

"As a longtime supporter of CCF, I have been so inspired by the accomplishments of these children, and am proud to strengthen and sustain programming which helps thousands of children, their families and the entire community build a better life," the Beverly Hills resident said.

The Sumner M. Redstone Center cares for youngsters of all ages and includes a nursery for children under 3 who are recovering from malnutrition, illness or live in high-risk situations; a day care center for 3- to 6-year-olds, many from impoverished and seriously disadvantaged domestic situations; and an education center with classes for children ages 6-16, who have no other education opportunities. The center also houses a food program for the surrounding community children and a medical clinic.

Redstone's latest donation will allow CCF to address the critical needs of more than 1,600 children and 3,000-plus families served by CCF's six facilities, said Executive Director Scott Neeson, who founded the nonprofit in 2004 as a safe house for orphaned, abandoned or abused children living on the site of Phnom Penh's garbage dump at Steung Meanchey.

Since then, CCF has grown to include full education, medical care, vocational training and community outreach services for Cambodia's most impoverished children and their families.

The foundation established by Redstone, executive chairman of Viacom and CBS, has given more than $150 million to charities around the world over the last several years. Recent gifts have funded new facilities at the USC School of Cinematic Arts and Boston University School of Law; supported the Global Poverty Project toward eradicating polio; and established CCF's child rescue center.

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