“We have seen first-hand the remarkable job SOS does to raise orphaned and abandoned children and keep families together,” said Angelina Jolie, in a statement. “The poor outcomes for foster children indicate that we must do a much better job of supporting them,” Brad Pitt added.

SOS Children’s Villages is an organization providing orphaned children an alternative to foster care. The sixty-year-old non-profit network currently has some 500 villages in 132 countries, helping approximately 80,000 children transition into adulthood.

From the two fortunate locations that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie chose to support with their generous donation the Florida village provides a home for 75 children, with services that include tutoring, therapy, life skills and family reunification, when possible. Illinois’ two villages care for nearly 200 children and youths and a social center provides day care and support services.

Angelina and Brad themselves are parents of six children, three of whom are adopted. Angelina Jolie is a Goodwill Ambassador of UNHCR since early 2001, while the couple has established the Maddox Jolie-Pitt Foundation in 2006 to fight extreme rural povertyto protect natural resources and for wildlife conservation projects.

The footage above shows Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, George Clooney and various other celebrities at a UNICEF charity party in Los Angeles on Dec 11, 2009.

Via: Los Angeles Times Blog, Washington Business Journal