Capitol Croons/Cares For Kids!

Be sure to check out all 133 of our photographs from this event HERE!

NORTHWEST -- Millions of people welcome them into their homes each day on TV, radio, and in print, however, Washington welcomed them on-stage Tuesday night, as dozens of celebrated journalists, politicians, television, radio, and sports personalities united in the fight against child abuse at the annual Capitol CAREaoke event benefiting Childhelp.

Held inside the Ronald Reagan Building, yesterday’s gathering saw representatives from CNN, FOX, NBC, WJLA, WUSA, Fresh FM, the Washington Capitals, and all levels of government square-off in a friendly karaoke competition, with the audience voting with their wallets as to the best singers.

Team CNN (yes, that's Ed Henry in a feathered boa).
NBC News’ Luke Russert brought down the house with an energetic performance of Bruce Springsteen’s “Born To Run” and The Scene Setters (a “supergroup” made-up of Pamela Sorensen, Kate Michael, Kiki Ryan, Matt Cooper, Christine Delargy, Stephanie Green, and Elizabeth Manresa) seemed to embrace their amateur standing with a …er… nimble rendition of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama”:

But it was the friendly rivalry between CNN and FOX that seemed to drum-up the largest donations, with CNN ultimately besting its counterpart by several hundred dollars thanks, in no small part, to a $1,500 personal pledge made by chief national correspondent and anchor John King.

John King first pledged $1,000 and then $500 more to Childhelp.
Of course, the FRESHest act was saved for the very end with radio host Tommy McFLY delivering a fast-paced performance of Billy Joel’s “We Didn’t Start The Fire”.

The Piano Man had nothing on 94.7 Fresh FM's Tommy McFLY.
Fun took a brief backseat to reality halfway through the program, as guests were reminded of the real reason behind the evening’s festivities: the on-going fight against child abuse.

From a brief video highlighting Senator Scott Brown’s (R-Mass.) recent revelation about his childhood abuse to Teddy Eynon’s poignant remarks on the subject immediately following, the underlying need for resources in helping victims of abuse and neglect was quickly underscored.

Fortunately, in addition to the night’s performers, one of the District’s most familiar retail brands had risen to the occasion with Childhelp founders Sara O’Meara and Yvonne Fedderson on-hand to accept a $15,000 check from The Dandelion Patch CEO Heidi Kallett.

The Dandelion Patch was the night's single largest corporate sponsor.
Established more than five years ago by Washington Business Tonight ABC7 anchor Rebecca Cooper, Capitol CAREeoke has helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for children over the years.

Sing it from the rooftops…

MIX 107.3's Chilli Amar, "Let's Talk Live" host Natasha Barrett, and WUSA9 Chief Meteorologist Topper Shutt.

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To learn more about Childhelp or to make a donation, please visit the organization’s website.

Be sure to check out all 133 of our photographs from this event HERE!