LOS ANGELES, Aug. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- As Derek O'Neill (www.derekoneill.com) reaches the world through his inspiring dedication in caring for humanity, the esteemed transformational therapist and philanthropist was recently named Celebrity Ambassador for Variety International - The Children's Charity. Renowned for receiving the prestigious Variety International Children's Charity Humanitarian Award earlier this year, the selfless humanitarian generously donated $100,000 to the organization. Derek now joins the ranks of past Variety International Celebrity Ambassadors including: Princess Diana, Meryl Streep, Jim Carrey, Clint Eastwood, Michael Caine CBE, Sir Sean Connery, and Sir Roger Moore to name a few. 

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120814/LA56945)

Appointed by the Variety International President, Peter Drummond, Derek was chosen to assist Variety in its role of helping to improve the lives of special needs children around the world. Variety International's thoughtful stewardship, coupled with O'Neill's extraordinary expertise as psychotherapist, will mark a powerful start of the betterment of humankind.

Through their network of 43 Tents (or Chapters) in 13 countries, Variety International - The Children's Charity has reached into communities across the globe since 1928, offering support and assistance to children and organizations that serve kids with special needs. Hard work, stewardship, and single-minded focus on the needs of the young, are what strives the organization in making a lasting difference in the lives of children, their families, our communities, and the world, one need at a time. "We are more powerful than we think. But we are only powerful when we come together," says O'Neill.

Inspired by 30 years of martial arts training, Derek's teaching philosophy has enlightened individuals from celebrities to politicians. The professed good samaritan has received numerous awards, which bear testament to his unconditional empathy and care for humanity, including the coveted Variety International Humanitarian Award. Previous recipients of this award consist of: Sir Winston Churchill, Dr. Henry Kissinger, Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra, Audrey Hepburn, Sammy Davis Jr., Jerry Lewis, Sir Roger Moore, and Simon Cowell.

In addition to his inspirational seminars, O'Neill hosts his own radio show, The Way with Derek O'Neill, broadcasting live on Mondays at 9am Pacific time on the VoiceAmerica Variety Channel.  

For information, or to interview Derek O'Neill, contact LA Publicist Eileen Koch of Eileen Koch & Company Inc., a PR, Marketing and Branding Firm at +1-310-441-1000, or email Eileen@eileenkoch.com. Visit www.eileenkoch.com. 

SOURCE Derek O’Neill