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Gary H. Carmona, Help Group Chairman, kicked off the event bycongratulating this year's honoree, saying, "Steve exemplifies what it meansto live and to act with compassion for others." Dr. Barbara Firestone, HelpGroup President & CEO expressed The Help Group's appreciation to all who wereinvolved in helping to make The Teddy Bear Ball such a tremendous success. "Inthese challenging times, it's great to be able to focus on what is right withthe world. An evening like this gives us pause to celebrate the humanitarianspirit that is so alive and palpable this evening. Like our family ofhonorees, Steve possesses a deep sense of humanity. The Help Group isimmensely grateful that Steve has made room on his broad shoulders for ourchildren," she said.
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This event was graciously co-chaired by Michael Lynton, Chairman and CEOof Sony Pictures Entertainment and Amy Pascal, Co-chairman of Sony PicturesEntertainment. The more than 600 guests included Bruce Rosenblum, BradGarrett, Norman Lear, Michael Lambert, Jeff Blake, John Weiser, Zack VanAmburg, Jamie Erlicht, Ken Solomon, Howard Tenenbaum, Chris & Jamie McGurk,Andy & Amy Heyward, Mark E Pollack, Kevin Beggs, Fred & Nadine Rosen, MelElias, Dick & Ann Costello, Governor Gray Davis, State Controller John Chiang,and Councilmember Wendy Greuel. The great roster of major sponsors included,Sony Pictures Entertainment, The Dana & Albert Broccoli Charitable Foundation,Keyes Automotive Group, Act III Communications, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf,and the Milken Family Foundation.
Ringing in the holiday season were spirited performances by The HelpGroup's Children's Choir with special friend, former Temptations member LouisPrice, singing a rousing medley of holiday tunes, and a lively, successfulauction led by Andrea Fiuczynski, President of Christie's. At the grandfinale of this unforgettable evening of friendship and philanthropy, thechildren sang Winter Wonderland to a cheering audience.
ABOUT THE HELP GROUP
Founded in 1975, The Help Group is the largest and most comprehensivenonprofit of its kind in the United States, serving children with a wide rangeof special needs related to autism, learning disabilities, abuse and emotionalchallenges. The Help Group's seven specialized day schools offer pre-K throughhigh school programs for more than 1,300 students, and its wide range ofmental health and therapy services, child abuse and residential programsextend its reach to more than 5,000 children and their families each year.With over 800 staff members, The Help Group's state-of-the-art schools andprograms are located on four major campuses in the Los Angeles area. Throughoutreach, parent and professional education efforts, The Help Group extendsits reach to countless others nationally and internationally.www.thehelpgroup.org
SOURCE The Help Group
