Milken, Family Are Honored for Gifts to Charity

Michael Milken and his family were honored Wednesday for their philanthropic contributions to the H.E.L.P. Group, which provides a variety of programs for children with special needs.

The wealthy financier, who is under indictment for securities violations, received a standing ovation from the crowd of about 950 people from the business and civic communities when he accepted his award from the group at its annual luncheon at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

Among those paying tribute to Milken were actor Dennis Weaver, California Controller Gray Davis, Dodger Manager Tommy Lasorda and dozens of chief executives of Southern California companies.

Milken delivered a brief speech about the need to develop the potential of all children and said the future lies “not in the office but the classroom.”

H.E.L.P. consists of affiliated nonprofit agencies providing a wide range of programs for children and young adults suffering from emotional problems, mental retardation, autism, learning disabilities, neglect and abuse.

Barbara Firestone, the president and chief executive of the organization, told the audience that the Milken family has made substantial contributions of personal time and money over the past two years.

Milken and his brother Lowell have pleaded innocent to criminal charges that they violated securities laws during their work in Drexel Burnham Lambert’s “junk bond” operation in Beverly Hills.