On the Town: William Shatner names his own price for charity
Residents from Burbank and Toluca Lake were among the 300-plus who donned their Stetson hats and Western wear for the day-long events surrounding the 26th annual William Shatner Priceline.com Hollywood Charity Horse Show held on June 4 at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center in Burbank.
“Over the last 26 years, we have been able to help thousands of young Angelenos thanks to the support we receive from our generous sponsors and attendees,” actor William Shatner told members of the press just prior to an arena show and reining competition.
“All of the expenses incurred to put on this fundraiser are privately financed, which means every penny raised goes directly to the aid of thousands of local children,” he added.
Accompanied by his wife, Elizabeth, Shatner hosted the arena show that also included a demonstration by Ahead with Horses, an organization that works with severely disabled children to teach them mobility and adaptability.
It was that organization which inspired Shatner to establish the Hollywood Charity Horse Show after he had been invited to one of their exhibitions. Seeing children who were severely handicapped participating in intricate exercises on the back of a horse deeply affected the actor best known for his role as Captain Kirk on the legendary 1960s sci-fi television series “Star Trek.”
Among the list of notables who gathered at the Burbank border-based equestrian center were actresses Bo Derek and Lydia Cornell, and “Dancing With the Stars” host Tom Bergeron.
Others who made the event a success with their presence or support included L.G. Ross, Doug Aarnoiokoski Jake, Yannick Bisson, Christina Blanco, Terry Brooks, Melinda Brown, Dan Castellaneta, Peter Tilden, Misha Collins, Bryan Cranston, Justin Flores, Diana Gabaldon, Daniel Gillies, Lee Ann Smith, Cherry Hepburn and actor Joe Mantegna who, along with his wife, Arlene, owns and operates Taste Chicago restaurant in Burbank.
The highlight of this year’s event was the evening’s dinner catered by Stonefire Grill, followed by the performance of the night’s headliner, country music star Neal McCoy.
Proceeds from the event will benefit numerous special-needs children’s charities and facilities across the Los Angeles area including Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and the Hollenbeck Police Activities League.
For more information about the Hollywood Charity Horse Show, visit horseshow.org.
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DAVID LAURELL may be reached by email at dlaurell@aol.com or call him at (818) 563-1007.
