"I really don't know what to say except to dedicate this to my friends who've died, and my father who is battling cancer now," said a tearful Mattea.

Along with her work for the sick, Mattea has done plenty for the needy, including her help for the Battle Creek-based Food bank of South Central Michigan.

"I don't know of anyone in the entertainment industry more deserving of this humanitarian award than Kathy," said Bob Randels, the food bank's executive director. "She brings a unique mix of intelligence and compassion to her support of our hunger relief work in Battle Creek as well as throughout the country."

Locally, Mattea has lead several efforts, such as the 1999 Empty Bowl project, and Randels estimated her support has resulted in $40,000 and 40,000 pounds of food for the pantry.