(VOXtra) - Celebrating an amazingly successful inaugural year of accomplishments at its NAVA Foundation Benefit Gala in North Hollywood, CA on December 6 - and raising nearly $60,000 for its programs at this event alone - the National Association of Voice Actors (NAVA) also honored three voice actors and one company with special awards.

VO Service Provider of the Year - Global Voice Acting Academy (GVAA)

"The Global Voice Acting Academy was founded in 2014 as an online voice over school that provides a strong and caring support system for each and every student," NAVA said, adding that GVAA is "a pillar of excellence in the voice over community.

"But the thing that has influenced the voice over industry most," NAVA said, "is the GVAA Rate Guide - a comprehensive guide for all genres of voice over that has become the most cited source for non-union rates in the U.S. and beyond.

"By upholding industry standards, GVAA has helped to keep fees from falling, and helped voice actors everywhere quote with more confidence, and charge what they are worth," NAVA said.

Voice actor Tom Antonellis "has been the cheerleader to so many of us in VO," NAVA said in presenting the award that was created in memory of Brad Venable to honor companies and individuals "who have made a difference."

Tom "gives his time and support selflessly and openly and vulnerably and so much love."

Starting an "extensive voice over career when he was just a kid in 1987 on the TV show Comic Strip," Seth Green "has voiced iconic characters including Leonardo in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Jeff 'Joker' Moreau in the video game Mass Effect, and Chris Griffin on Family Guy.

"As the creator, writer and producer of Robot Chicken, Seth has not only lent his voice to dozens of characters, but he has also created work for voice actors."

Mara Junot "has broken barriers in the voice over industry throughout her entire career," NAVA said. "She has broken barriers for gender identity and race, and emerged as one of the most beloved voice actors of our time. Mara gives back to the community."

NAVA adds:

"The Board decided we wanted to give an award to Mara for all the important work she has done, but didn't tell her. Then, as a complete surprise to us, Mara donated $10,000 to NAVA, which helped pay our way to Washington, DC to meet with lawmakers. That was the last award of the night, and no one knew it was coming. It was awesome."

NAVA raised nearly $60,000 at the gala from the in-person auction, virtual auction, raffle and donations.

"It's incredible," says NAVA Co-Founder/Vice President Carin Gilfry. 

"To come together as a community, all in one room, with shared goals and so much love was unprecedented in my life," she adds about the event.

Founded in late 2022, NAVA is a non-profit association created to advocate and promote the advancement of the voice acting industry through action, education and benefits.

For more about its programs and benefits - including options for health care insurance - visit https://navavoices.org.