TAMPA, FL – December 2, 2005 – In recognition for his outstanding service, President of Shooting Stars Post, Inc. (SSP) John Samaha received the honor of being presented with the Volunteer of the Year Award from the Pediatric Cancer Foundation (PCF).

The award was presented at Tropicana Field on Friday, November 11, at the 2005 Chuck LaMar Mercury Grand Slam Celebrity Fishing Tournament’s Fishermen's Ball, presented by Mercedes-Benz USA. The benefit tournament hosts some of the world’s most famous fishing experts such as Jose Wejebe, Stu Apte, Roland Martin and Blair Wiggins, along with celebrities such as Hall of Fame baseball player Wade Boggs, former football stars Steve DeBerg and Casey Weldon, and many more.

Samaha was originally introduced to PCF through his participation in the LaMar tournament, but has extended his support throughout the last seven years. Through his company and a team of employees, Samaha has helped raise a tremendous amount of awareness by capturing many special pediatric cancer moments and milestones on camera.

The Shooting Stars team provides video footage at the various hospitals PCF is involved with, produces the opening video and corporate DVD for the celebrity fishing tournament, and much more.

“The contributions John Samaha has made to the Pediatric Cancer Foundation are immeasurable,” said Barbara Rebold, executive director of PCF. “He has been working with us in helping to give children with cancer a voice by using video to tell their amazing stories. His videos truly capture the mission of the Foundation and the spirit of these amazing children.”

PCF recognized Samaha, along with Chef Tom Pritchard and Frank Chivas of Island Way Grill and Salt Rock Grill, because of their level of commitment in helping the organization thrive to carry on its mission.

“As a non-profit organization, we are extremely blessed to have this remarkable support system within our community,” said Rebold. “These awards are just a small thank you for tremendous contributions.”

In addition to Mercedes-Benz, other top level sponsors of the tournament included Crown Eurocars, The Yerrid Foundation, Nestle Purina Pet Care, Renaissance Vinoy Resort, Galati Yachts and other generous supporters.

More than a digital production firm, SSP has an 8,000-square-foot facility at 3106 W. North A St. in Tampa, with more than 4,000 square feet of studio space, top-of-the-line digital recording and editing gear, and complete in-house production capabilities.

The Pediatric Cancer Foundation is a non-profit, Tampa-based charity, dedicated to funding research to eliminate childhood cancer worldwide. The Foundation has granted more than $2.2 million to researchers at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital in Tampa, All Children's Research Institute in St. Petersburg, the University of Florida in Gainesville and the University of Miami.

For more information, contact Marilyn Samaha at 813-873-0100 or marilyn@sspmedia.com, or log on to www.sspmedia.com.