The 5th annual Los Angeles Hilarity for Charity (HFC) Variety Show hosted by Seth Rogen and Lauren Miller Rogen raised over $1.6 million to help families struggling with Alzheimer’s care, increase support groups nationwide, raise awareness of Alzheimer’s among the millennial generation and fund cutting-edge research.
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Entertainment icon Snoop Dogg headlined the Halloween-themed variety show, which was held on Saturday, October 15th at the Hollywood Palladium and featured a jam-packed night of comedy and musical entertainment.
The night began with an outdoor VIP reception where guests gathered for cocktails and delectable bites including beverages from Crown Royal and LaCroix. Once attendees made their way to their seats, Seth and Nick Petricca (Walk the Moon) started the night off with a memorable rendition of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” for the variety’s show opening act.
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Following their performance, comedians Morgan Murphy and Jen Kirkman gave fast-paced, high-energy performances and magician Justin Willman left audience members entranced.
Lauren Miller Rogen then took the stage to remind guests of the mission of HFC, which was established in 2012 as part of the Alzheimer’s Association. Lauren shared testimonials from HFC community members who have received free in-home care for loved ones through HFC’s Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Relief Grant Program in partnership with Home Instead Senior Care.
Then, James Corden took the stage for a lively auction featuring prizes including buyouts of Son of a Gun and Animal restaurants, a glamping weekend, a Paris getaway and more.
One of the highlights of the night came in the form of a video message from Los Angeles Dodgers Infielder/Outfielder Howie Kendrick, who announced a generous $100,000 donation via the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation to help further HFC’s mission and fund Alzheimer’s research.
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“Alzheimer’s is a cause very close to our family, and we’re proud to support the great work of Hilarity for Charity and the Alzheimer’s Association to accelerate research, as well as engage a younger generation in the fight against this horrible disease,” said Howie Kendrick. “We look forward to continuing to support this work and raise awareness,” added his wife, Jody Kendrick.
Other evening highlights included a surprise performance of “Shut-up and Dance” by Nick Petricca, a duet from Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Tasha McCauley, a rendition of “Time Warp” by Courtney Love and the evening’s final comedic set delivered by the hilarious Marc Maron.
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The already epic night concluded with an unforgettable performance by Snoop Dogg who entertained with some of his iconic hits, including “The Next Episode,” “Gin & Juice,” “Drop it Like it’s Hot,” and “Young Wild & Free.”
“Each year we set out to put on an entertaining show and take people’s money so we can help those who need it,” said Rogen. “This year, with the help of some very generous and talented friends, we’ve done just that!”
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“I’m always amazed at how well the show comes together each year,” said Miller Rogen. “We are so thankful for the many people that lend their time and effort to support those affected by Alzheimer’s disease.”
Notable guests who supported the cause for the evening included, Elizabeth Olsen,Scott Eastwood, Maria Shriver, Katie Stevens, Tony Hawk, Katie Lowes, Ben Feldman, Adam Shapiro, Frances Bean Cobain, Kunal Nayyar, and Johnny Galecki among others.
Rogen and Miller Rogen established the Hilarity for Charity Fund in 2012 as part of the Alzheimer’s Association, through which monies raised are directed to help families affected by Alzheimer’s care, increase support groups nationwide and fund cutting edge research. The flagship Los Angeles Variety Show continues to create the next generation of Alzheimer’s advocates through an evening filled with music and comedy.
The evening was made possible by the generous support of several individual and corporate supporters including: Netflix, Fast Rabbit, Crown Royal, Home Instead Senior Care, Rivet Revolution, BMW Beverly Hills, Good Universe, LaCroix and United Talent Agency.
Oct 19, 2016 12:30 pm
On November 12th, 2016, Unlikely Heroes will host the 4th annual Recognizing Heroes Red Carpet Awards Dinner and Charity Benefit, presented by Sumits Yoga Colleyville and sponsored by iHeart Media and KISS FM at the Ritz-Carlton, Dallas, with red carpet arrivals beginning at 5pm.
November 12, 2016 Red Carpet Benefit featuring Nikki Reed, Ian Somerhalder, Jordin Sparks, Savannah Chrisley and Anjelah Johnson
Featuring a live musical performance by multi-platinum recording artist Jordin Sparks, this Red Carpet Charity Benefit will be hosted by award winning actress Nikki Reed(Twilight Saga), critically-acclaimed comedian Anjelah Johnson (MADtv) and Savannah Chrisley (Chrisley Knows Best). Including special guests Ian Somerhalder(Vampire Diaries), Kenyon and Katie Coleman (NFL, former Dallas Cowboys), Rebecca Bender (Survivor Advocate) and keynote speaker: Shaun Alexander (NFL, former Seattle Seahawks). This special Red Carpet Charity Benefit will draw more than 400 celebrities, influencers, philanthropists, media, affluent business leaders and prominent members from the Dallas/Ft. Worth community to end slavery and celebrate freedom.
This year, Hero Award winners include: Shaun and Val Alexander (NFL, former Seattle Seahawks), Robert Smith and Hope Dworaczyk-Smith (CEO, Vista Equity Partners), Ana Reyes (Williams and Connolly LLP), Dee Martin (Bracewell Law), Salo Zelermyer (Bracewell Law) and Rebekah Charleston (Survivor Advocate).
Unlikely Heroes rescues and restores children from a life of slavery worldwide. Unlikely Heroes has 5 restoration homes for rescued kids located in the Philippines, Thailand, Mexico and in the USA in Dallas, Texas. In the past, Unlikely Heroes events have attracted Hollywood support, influential leaders and international media attention. Celebrity supporters, hosts and past gala performers include: Selena Gomez, Kellan Lutz, Babyface, Andra Day, Jesse McCartney, Chris Gorham, JoJo, Ledisi, and many others.
Human trafficking is “the recruitment, transport, transfer, harboring or receipt of a person by such means as threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, or fraud or deception for the purpose of exploitation.” But it also has another name: modern day slavery. There are more slaves in the world today than at any other time in human history. The most conservative figures available suggest that more than one million children are involved in the sex trade each year, but experts say the true number could be five times that or more. Additionally, profits from slavery exceed $32 billion annually. This is not just a problem of the developing world: it is a global crisis, and includes the United States. In fact, conservative numbers estimate that there are more than 100,000 children sold for sex in the U.S. each year.
For more information on what you can do to help, as well as details about the Unlikely Heroes Recognizing Heroes Red Carpet Benefit, please visit:www.UnlikelyHeroes.com.
The ASPCA Los Angeles Fundraiser will be an evening to remember, where guests will enjoy specialty cocktails featuring Casamigos Tequila and Tito’s Handmade Vodka, a silent auction to support the ASPCA’s Los Angeles Mobile Spay/Neuter Clinic, music, and more.
The event will take place at a private residence in Bel Air on October 20.
Beth Behrs will be presented with the 2016 ASPCA Compassion Award for the extraordinary commitment of time and effort she has dedicated to directly impact the lives of vulnerable and victimized animals, to be presented by Jennifer Coolidge. Sarah Hyland will receive the ASPCA Voice for Animals Award to recognize her efforts toward increasing awareness and inspiring action on behalf of animals in crisis, to be presented by Nina Dobrev. Proceeds from the event will support the launch of the organization’s new Los Angeles Mobile Spay/Neuter Clinic.
Oct 19, 2016 10:00 am
On Monday, October 10, 2016, Sir Elton John and Billie Jean King hosted the 24th annual all-star charity tennis match – World TeamTennis (WTT) Smash Hits at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Elton John and Billie Jean King
Credit/Copyright: CameraWorkUSA
The event was a great success, raising more than $600,000 to benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF).
Prior to the match, Elton, Billie Jean, and all of the featured players attended a VIPdonor reception and live auction that raised more than $150,000 of the evening’s totals. The players were active bidders in the auction, with Maria Sharapova winning a ticket package for the Broadway hit “Hamilton” and John McEnroe buying an autographed Elton John piano bench.
Billie Jean King and Maria Sharapova
Credit/Copyright: CameraWorkUSA
The tennis action took place on a multi-colored tennis court just steps away from where Elton John plays his hit show, “The Million Dollar Piano” at Caesars Palace. A capacity crowd watched Maria Sharapova’s highly-anticipated return to tennis as she opened the night pairing up with Andy Roddick for a set of celebrity doubles against Elton John and Martina Navratilova.
Sharapova and Roddick won 3-1 in an entertaining quick set.
Then, tennis stars Mardy Fish, Liezel Huber, Taylor Johnson, John McEnroe, Martina Navratilova, Mark Philippoussis, Andy Roddick, and Maria Sharapova divided into two teams – Team Elton and Team Billie Jean – and treated the sold-out crowd to a modified World TeamTennis match, including one set each of men’s doubles, women’s doubles, men’s singles, women’s singles, and mixed doubles. Team Elton won the match 19-14, giving Team Elton a 13-11 edge in the all-time series.
“This highly successful event brings the 24-year cumulative total of dollars raised by Smash Hits to more than $15 million for EJAF’s grant-making initiatives supportingHIV/AIDS-related advocacy, prevention, stigma reduction, and direct treatment, care, and service programs across the United States, the Americas, and the Caribbean,” said EJAF Founder Sir Elton John.
Oct 19, 2016 08:45 am
Miami Children’s Health Foundation, the fundraising arm for Miami Children’s Health System, celebrated the success of its Together For The Children Campaign on Thursday, October 13 with more than 300 guests in attendance at a special preview unveiling of the Advanced Pediatric Care Pavilion (APCP), a new six-story tower within the campus of Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.
Patty McDonald, Lucy Morillo, Jack Nicklaus, Marile and Jorge Luis Lopez, Barbara, Alex Soto, Nicklaus patient Ralphie Mario Murgado, Dr. Narendra Kini and Michael Fux
The construction of the new 212,000 square-foot state-of-the-art family centered facility, was one of the priorities of Together For The Children, which surpassed its original fundraising goal of $150 million, two years ahead of schedule. The structure is the first freestanding pediatric facility of its kind in South Florida, dedicated to the care of children with complex and specialized needs.
“We are incredibly excited and humbled by the overwhelming generosity of the community, corporations and other private donors who joined our Together For The Children Campaign and made this accomplishment a reality two years ahead of schedule”, said Lucy Morillo, President and CEO of Miami Children’s Health Foundation. “This campaign has been a truly remarkable endeavor and speaks volumes on how we are committed to providing children everywhere the best care possible.”
First Family of Golf, Jack and Barbara Nicklaus, Chairs of the Together For The Children Campaign were on hand for the ribbon cutting alongside Dr. M. Narendra Kini,CEO for Miami Children’s Health System, Mario Murgado, Board Chair for Miami Children’s Health System, Alex Soto, Board Chair for Nicklaus Children’s Hospital and Marile Lopez, Board Chair for Miami Children’s Health Foundation.
The event also served as backdrop for the announcement of a $1.5 million pledge from West Coast University in support of nursing education at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. This generous gift demonstrates the joint commitment to nursing education, which will ensure the continued delivery of nursing care to children through family-centered bedside manner. During the program, Carlos A. Gimenez, Miami-Dade County Mayor presented a certificate of appreciation to mark this historic occasion. Also in attendance were State Representatives Frank Artiles, Jose Felix Diaz, Alex Ferro, and Erik Fresen, Commissioners Steve Bovo and Jose “Pepe” Diaz, Secretary of the Agency for Health Administration Justin Senior, School Board member Dr. Martha Perez, and MCH Foundation Celebrity Ambassador Erick Cuesta.
The new facility is making possible the relocation of Nicklaus Children’s Hospital’s three internationally recognized intensive care units (Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit) to a new state-of-the-art setting, enhancing the care environment and offering additional family-centered amenities.
Oct 19, 2016 07:30 am
From Academy Award-winning filmmaker Fisher Stevens and Academy Award-winning actor, environmental activist and U.N. Messenger of Peace Leonardo DiCaprio, Before the Flood presents a riveting account of the dramatic changes now occurring around the world due to climate change, as well as the actions we as individuals and as a society can take to prevent catastrophic disruption of life on our planet.
The film follows Leonardo DiCaprio as he travels to five continents and the Arctic speaking to scientists, world leaders, activists and local residents to gain a deeper understanding of this complex issue and investigate concrete solutions to the most pressing environmental challenge of our time.
Before the Flood premieres in theaters in New York and Los Angeles on October 21st and will air globally on the National Geographic Channel on October 30th in 171 countries and 45 languages.
To learn more about the film and what you can do to take action, visit the official film site here.
Oct 19, 2016 06:00 am
Gathering money, goods and volunteer services from all types of donors and distributing this tangible support to the strongest local projects and charitable organizations.
Working closely with companies, foundations and government to help craft their philanthropic strategies for the health of both donors and the communities being served.
About United Way for the Greater New Orleans Area:
UWGNOA is advancing the common good. Across southeast Louisiana, people are struggling and concerned about their future. United Way believes that everyone in the region should have an opportunity for a good life, and is committed to providing more residents the building blocks necessary for success. By partnering with donors, employers, nonprofits, faith groups and government, United Way brings a coordinated approach to solving community problems in Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa and Washington Parishes.
