Always impeccably dressed and flawlessly made-up, Sara O'Meara and Yvonne Fedderson radiate timeless elegance at 90 years young. But beyond their stunning appearance lies something even more remarkable—their unshakable bond and tireless dedication to helping children in need.
From the dazzling lights of Hollywood to decades of selfless service through Childhelp, one of the nation’s leading organizations combating child abuse, their journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. And while they’ve built countless homes for children around the world, they’ve also created a home of their own—living together as lifelong friends, proving that home is truly where the heart is.
In honor of our Home Issue, we celebrate their inspiring journey of friendship, faith, and unwavering commitment to making the world a better place, all while sharing laughter, meals, and memories under one roof.
A Fateful Meeting
Sarah and Yvonne first crossed paths on the set of The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, a beloved American sitcom.
"We met during filming," Sara recalls. "Yvonne was already a part of the show, and I had just graduated from the Pasadena Playhouse."
Both were bright-eyed and ambitious, with Hollywood dreams lighting up their future. But what started as a professional encounter quickly transformed into an unshakable bond.
"We realized we had so much in common—our faith, our values, our passion for giving back," Yvonne adds.
Their friendship deepened when they began volunteering together at the Hollywood Presbyterian Church and performing for U.S. troops through USO shows.
"We’d travel on the weekends, performing in camps and bases, and it was during these tours that we realized we were meant to do more," Sara reflects.
Their Hollywood experience brought them in close circles with legends like Elvis Presley, Bob Hope, and Debbie Reynolds.
"Elvis was such a kind soul," Yvonne reminisces. "He always asked about our work with the children, and I truly believe he would have been one of our biggest supporters if he were still with us. I even dated him for a while—he was charming, respectful, and always a gentleman."
Bob Hope and his wife Dolores were also key supporters, hosting fundraisers at their home and rallying Hollywood’s elite to the cause.
"Phyllis Diller was another who just couldn’t say no," Yvonne remembers fondly. "She’d always show up, cracking jokes and keeping the energy high."
A Mission Born Amid Disaster
In 1959, fate intervened in their lives in the most unexpected way. While on a USO Goodwill Tour in Japan following a devastating typhoon, Sara and Yvonne stumbled upon a heart-wrenching scene—11 orphaned children, huddled together in the cold.
"They had no shoes, no warm clothes," Sara recounts. "When we asked where their parents were, all they could say was, 'No Mama-san, no Papa-san.'"
Determined not to leave them behind, the women snuck the children into their hotel room, hiding them from their commanding officer.
"We couldn't just turn away. We knew in our hearts we had to do something," Yvonne says. "We called in favors, collected food, and turned our hotel room into a makeshift shelter."
The colonel overseeing their tour was less than pleased.
"He nearly had a heart attack when he found out," Sara laughs. "He told us, 'Get rid of them immediately,' but we just couldn’t do it."
What followed was an uphill battle—visiting orphanage after orphanage only to find them overcrowded. They eventually found solace in the home of a compassionate Japanese woman named Mama Kin.
"Her home was in terrible condition, but she looked us in the eye and said she’d trust us if we promised to help,” says Sara.
Thus began their lifelong mission to rescue and protect children.
"We put on a show for the troops, raising enough money to fix up Mama Kin’s home and provide for the children," Yvonne explains. "That’s when we knew—this wasn’t just a one-time effort. This was our calling."
From Japan to Vietnam
Returning to Hollywood, Sara and Yvonne continued their film careers while working tirelessly to raise funds for their newfound cause.
"So many celebrities helped us organize fundraisers, and we ended up building four orphanages in Japan."
However, when the Vietnam War escalated, they were approached by Congress to expand their efforts to aid the thousands of mixed-race orphans left abandoned.
"We built orphanages, hospitals, and schools. It was overwhelming, but we knew it was God’s work," Yvonne says.
One of their most significant accomplishments came during Operation Babylift in 1975, where they helped evacuate hundreds of children from war-torn Vietnam.
"It was heartbreaking," Sara recalls. "But every single child we brought to the U.S. was adopted, and that made it all worth it."
Nancy Reagan and Presidential Support
Throughout their journey, Sara and Yvonne found support from influential figures, including First Lady Nancy Reagan.
"Nancy was the one who told us, 'You're just the two to do it,' when it came to tackling child abuse in America," Sara says. "She and Ronald Reagan personally supported us, sending us a check the very next day to start our first residential treatment center."
"She had such a vision for child welfare," Yvonne adds. "And with their help, we were able to grow Childhelp into what it is today."
A Miraculous Healing
Sara’s journey took a deeply personal turn when she was diagnosed with terminal cancer in her early 30s.
"I was given less than three months to live," she shares. "It was everywhere, and I was devastated. I had two little boys to raise."
Despite the grim prognosis, Sara’s unwavering faith led her to a spiritual encounter that changed everything.
"I heard about a healing service at the Shrine Auditorium, and I knew I had to go," she says. "I wasn’t even supposed to leave the hospital, but I prayed and believed."
She recounts the moment with tears in her eyes.
"I felt my body lift, and I saw a pink cloud surrounding me. The evangelist called out, 'There is a woman in the balcony being healed of cancer,' and I knew it was me."
Miraculously, Sara’s cancer disappeared, and she credits that moment with reaffirming her life’s purpose.
Living Together
After their husbands passed away, Sara and Yvonne moved in together.
"We’ve been through everything together," Yvonne says. "Living together just made sense."
Their home is more than just a house—it’s a living scrapbook of their journey. Framed photos of the children they’ve helped, letters from supporters, and keepsakes from their travels line the walls.
"Every room has a story," Sara reflects. "From Japan to Vietnam to Hollywood, it’s all here."
Their friendship is filled with warmth and humor.
"We have breakfast together most mornings," Sara says. "Yvonne reminds me to eat healthy while I sneak in a pastry." Yvonne laughs, "She thinks I don’t notice, but I do!"
They cherish their nightly dinners, reflecting on their day with gratitude and laughter.
"We argue over who’s cooking, but we’re closer than sisters," Sara says with a grin.
"Some nights, we put on an old movie and laugh at how young we looked," Yvonne shares. "And how much hairspray we used!" Sara adds.
Despite their busy lives, they cherish their time at home.
"It’s our little sanctuary. It’s even a headquarters for Childhelp operations," Yvonne says.
The Childhelp Impact
Since its founding, Childhelp has grown to become one of the largest and most impactful child advocacy organizations in the country.
"We've helped over 13 million children, but it's not enough," Sara says. "Every day, we see more cases of abuse, and it breaks our hearts. But we keep going, because these children need us. Whether you're young or old, rich or poor—find your passion and use it to help others."