Rusnak Auto Group Hosts Book Signing Benefit for AIDS Service Center

On Thursday, Sept. 7, Rusnak Auto Group hosted an evening of indulgence to benefit the AIDS Service Center (ASC) in the Bentley Pasadena Showroom located at 285 W. Colorado Blvd. Rusnak showcased some of the most luxurious driving machines totaling over $4 million in value, including the Bugatti Veyron, Rolls-Royce, Maybach, Bentley and Porsche Carrera GT in honor of a celebration to salute celebrity event producer Diann Valentine, author of Weddings Valentine Style: Rich Inspiration for Every Woman’s Dream Day.“We were pleased to host and participate in this once in a lifetime opportunity in Pasadena for the AIDS Service Center,” said Liz Rusnak Arizmendi, VP public relations for Rusnak Auto Group. “By providing a venue synonymous with luxury, we created the platform for guiltless giving, which helped ASC raise nearly $20,000.”

Helen Sugland, film producer and partner of Landmark Artist Management; Jacqui Pitman, VP of development, Lighthearted Entertainment (“Original Extreme Makeover”); and business consultant and motivational speaker Charmaine McClarie of The McClaire Group gathered their colleagues to increase awareness and support of the AIDS Service Center.

Valentine, author and event producer to the rich and famous, donated the proceeds of the sale of 100 books to ASC. Actor Laurence Fishburne donated his Morpheus costume from the blockbuster hit “The Matrix,” which he signed in the Bentley Pasadena Showroom. The item was purchased at $500 by Nina L. Shaw, entertainment attorney to A-list celebrities including Fishburne, Jamie Foxx, Cedric “The Entertainer” and James Earl Jones. Michael Jordan’s autographed basketball was purchased at $1,000. Treis Albury purchased the Bang & Olufsen phone, the missing piece to his Bang & Olufsen electronic collection. Liz Rusnak Arizmendi purchased for her husband, Andrew, the Breitling chromatic watch, an exquisite timepiece donated by Le Bijoux Luxury Jewelers of Pasadena at $2,000 in addition to a mink raincoat donated by Edwards-Lowell Furs of Beverly Hills for $3,000. Event sponsor and real estate investment mogul Dennis Earls purchased the Bentley/Ritz-Carlton luxury package including a weekend drive in the 2007 Bentley Continental Flying Spur and lodging at the Ritz-Carlton, Huntington Hotel & Spa in Pasadena for $3,000.

Inspired by the spirit of giving, Candra Palmer, owner of Artyce custom footwear auctioned the shoes right off her feet, which were purchased at $500 by Claudia Jordan, model from “The Price is Right” and “Deal or No Deal.” Actress Terri J. Vaughn with Claudia Jordan, singer Glenn Lewis and L.A. Laker, Brian Shaw and his wife presented the items for auction to the audience.

AIDS Service Center reaches out to nearly 1,700 individuals and families affected by, and at risk for, HIV/AIDS. Their services include food distribution, housing services, transportation, case management, legal services, treatment advocacy and education, mental health services and health education and prevention services.

The AIDS Service Center is located in Pasadena. For more information, log on to www.aidsservicecenter.org.

Weddings Valentine Style is published by Atria Books of Simon and Schuster and features the wedding celebrations of Toni Braxton, Antoine Fuqua and Gary Sheffield among others. Valentine’s book is available at most book stores ($35.95 hardcover).