First Lady Michelle Obama will be appearing on Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards for the first time to present Taylor Swift with this year’s The Big Help Award. The honor is presented in recognition of Swift’s philanthropic endeavors, including her work with tornado and flood victims in the United States. The 2012 Kids’ Choice Awards, hosted by Will Smith, will be telecast live on Nickelodeon Saturday, March 31 at 7 pm CT from USC’s Galen Center in Los Angeles.
“Taylor’s dedication to helping others has encouraged her fan base to do the same, and this is the very core of what The Big Help is, inspiring others through action,” said Marva Smalls, Executive Vice President, Public Affairs and Chief of Staff, Nickelodeon Group. ”We are honored that First Lady Michelle Obama, a past recipient of The Big Help Award will be presenting this formidable and inspiring artist with this much deserved honor.”
Swift has dedicated herself to raising funds and awareness to benefit those affected by natural disasters. In 2011, she opened the last dress rehearsal of her Speak Now Tour to fans to raise funds for victims of tornadoes that his the Southeast. The event raised over $750,000 with 100 percent of ticket sales going to help victims via the “Speak Now…Help Now” fund at the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. She is also actively involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, St. Jude, Habitat For Humanity, T.J. Martell Foundation, The Red Cross, Nick’s Kids, The Salvation Army, and the Victory Junction Gang Camp, plus numerous libraries, schools and educational initiatives.
Swift recently scored yet another No. 1 single with her hit “Ours,” and wrapped up her 111-show Speak Now World Tour in Auckland, New Zealand. She is currently nominated for ACM Awards for Entertainer of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year and Video of the Year.
Nickelodeon’s The Big Help aims to empower kids to make positive actions on issues that are important to them. Previous honorees include Justin Timberlake (2011), Michelle Obama (2010), and Leonardo DiCaprio (2009).
