Continuing in our extensive coverage of charities who are premiering Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith on May 12 in 10 cities across the United States and utilizing the event to raise critical funds and awareness for issues affecting children and families, here's a closer look at one of the participating charities: Children's Defense Fund in Washington D.C.

CDF provides a strong, effective voice for all the children of America who cannot vote, lobby, or speak for themselves. The organization pays particular attention to the needs of poor and minority children and those with disabilities. CDF also educates the nation about the needs of children and encourages preventive investment before they get sick, get into trouble, drop out of school, or suffer family problems.

"The mission of the Children's Defense Fund is to 'Truly Leave No Child Behind' andto ensure every child a 'Healthy Start,' a 'Head Start,' a 'Fair Start,' a 'Safe Start,' and a 'Moral Start' in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities," Director of Development for the Children's Defense Fund Jessica O'Connell explains.

CDF began in 1973 and is a private, nonprofit organization supported by foundations, corporations, and individuals.

"We have never taken a dime of government money as we continue to mount a strong, persistent, and independent voice for children," O'Connell says.

CDF's roots are in the civil rights movement and in Dr. Martin Luther King's Poor People's Campaign. CDF's parent organization, the Washington Research Project (WRP), began in 1968 and was instrumental in making hunger a national issue (following Robert Kennedy's visits to shacks with hungry children in the Mississippi Delta). After Kennedy's and Dr. King's assassinations, WRP followed up on specific recommendations for federal government action and helped expand federal nutrition programs that today serve millions of children and families.

For over 30 years, CDF has struggled to make sure no child in the United States gets left behind and has made great progress in reducing the numbers of neglected, sick, uneducated, and poor children in the United States. CDF's research, public education campaigns, budget and policy advocacy, and coalition-building have contributed to millions of children gaining immunizations, health care, child care, Head Start, a right to education, adoptions, a chance to escape poverty, and protections in child welfare, mental health, and juvenile justice systems. More than 400 CDF publications have educated millions about child conditions and what can be done individually and collectively to change things.

Specifically CDF focuses on child health, promoting access to comprehensive, quality, affordable health care services for all children; child welfare and mental health, advocating for children who are abused, neglected, homeless or suffer from emotional and other problems; early childhood development, quality affordable child care, pre-kindergarten programs and after-school activities to help parents, education and youth development helping children avoid trouble, protecting them from violence, and ensuring them a productive learning environment; and family income and jobs, securing employment that pays livable wages as well as education and training to enable parents to compete for better jobs.

In addition to the premiere movie screening of Revenge of the Sith at the Loews Uptown Theatre in Washington D.C., the foundation will also have VIP pre-screening reception at the Kennedy-Warren sponsored by the Freddie Mac Foundation. Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia) will walk the red carpet, along with Children's Defense Fund Founder and CEO Marian Wright Edelman, members of Congress, local elected officials and other distinguished D.C. VIPs. Local Star Wars fan groups like the 501st Garrison will add excitement to the reception and the screening.

"We are reserving 20 percent of the theater's seats so that disadvantaged children and their families will have the opportunity to attend this exciting event," O'Connell says. "We are also inviting our local past Beat the Odds scholarship recipients to attend the screening. Through this program, CDF works with community leaders to honor students who demonstrate academic excellence and have the strength and determination to 'beat the odds.' Since 1990, we have provided scholarships to more than 300 high school youth and hosted more than 75 events to celebrate their remarkable lives and the families, friends, teachers, and counselors who helped them succeed. Today they are inspiring models of leadership and service within their universities and communities."

The funds raised from this Star Wars event will go towards operations that support continued advocacy, research and education, with particular emphasis on the needs of poor and minority children and those with disabilities. CDF continues to fight to ensure that all children will one day have health care, Head Start and a quality education, and that their parents will have access to affordable child care. Funds raised will also support their benefit and outreach assistance programs that help poor working families with children.

"We are excited to partner with Star Wars because it offers an opportunity for CDF's networks who work so hard against all odds to make progress for children to participate in a positive and enjoyable event," O'Connell says. "It's a way to say thank you and to raise the visibility of the Head Start, child health and education issues that are in the forefront in 2005."

Fans who cannot attend this special charity event, but who still want to help CDF can do so in many various ways. To contribute to CDF directly online visit their website here. In addition to financial contributions, CDF encourages Star Wars fans and others to:

1. Learn more about the needs of children in their communities and help educate others about these needs
2. Help prevent poverty through benefits and outreach programs
3. Become engaged in programs that support children like Freedom Schools and Beat the Odds.

For a complete list of the other participating charities, click here.