Charity Scorecard
* The Ark Trust Inc. netted $105,000 at its annual Genesis Awards on March 28 at the Beverly Hilton. Guests of honor included two supporters of animal causes, U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and Paul Watson, founder and president of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. Celebrity presenters at the dinner--appropriately vegan--included Pierce Brosnan, Alicia Silverstone, Lyle Lovett, Martin Sheen, Tippi Hedren and Frances Fisher. The money will be used to help produce the Genesis Awards television show to be aired May 5 on the Animal Planet channel with co-sponsorship from Hallmark Entertainment. The Ark Trust honors films, TV shows and articles for work that raises awareness of animal-protection issues.
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Twenty-six children ages 7 to 16 ran a mile in the Los Angeles Marathon on March 29 in memory of loved ones, raising $30,000 for Our House, a nonprofit Westside organization that offers grief support groups for children and adults.
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Five Acres’ fourth annual Academy Awards night gala netted more than $100,000 for the child-abuse prevention programs at the Altadena therapeutic and educational center. Actor Meshach Taylor was emcee and auctioneer.
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A performance by 14-year-old violinist Justina Nadel of Hughes Middle School in Long Beach highlighted “Crescendo ‘98,” the Long Beach Symphony’s black-tie gala March 14 at the Long Beach Renaissance Hotel. The event, attended by 425 guests, netted more than $200,000 for the orchestra’s music and education programs.
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The Shelter Partnership broke its previous fund-raising record with $165,000 in proceeds from its ninth annual dinner on March 10 at the Regal Biltmore. The money will support work on behalf of the thousands of homeless men, women and children in Los Angeles County. In addition to raising funds, the Partnership has recently assisted agencies that serve the poor in obtaining more than $43 million in U.S. Housing and Urban Development funds.
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The Friends of the Fulfillment Fund hosted its first benefit, the “Puttin’ On the Ritz” dinner dance March 14 at the Regent Beverly Wilshire. The evening raised more than $100,000 for the fund, which provides mentoring services and scholarships for Los Angeles students.
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Has your group held a recent charity fund-raiser? Let us know about it. We will report on selected local benefit projects and events. Please tell us about your organization and the charity you support, how much you raised, how the charity uses your gift and the details of your event--what, when and where. Send a letter or press release to Social Sunday, Life & Style, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, CA 90053, or fax to (213) 237-4888.
