Dream Believe Achieve: An inspiration Gala Event Celebrating the work of Challengers Boys & Girls Club

The event will be hosted by Don Cheadle featuring a musical performance by Jackson Browne.

Honoring: Rickey Minor, JIm O’Brien and Baron Davis

In South LA, the statistics seem insurmountable. Gang violence is up. High school graduation rates are at historic lows. Schools are overcrowded and unsafe. Budget cuts have shuttered vital sports, arts and college prep programs, have contributed to an ever-worsening student-teacher ratio, and more cuts are on the way. Hardly the atmosphere to inspire learning and achievement. However, where some see peril, others see promise.

The DREAM BELIEVE ACHIEVE Inspiration Gala will raise funds to support the following organizations which recognize the promise in the youth most affected by these statistics, and aim to provide solutions to empower them for success in life. Your support of this event will go directly to the programs that help these kids develop the skills and have the opportunities they need to succeed:

Challengers Boys & Girls Club – What began 40 years ago in the back of Lou Dantzler’s pickup truck in 1968 as an effort to offer the South LA community’s aimless, fatherless youth something positive to do has blossomed into a four-acre oasis, encompassing leadership, recreation, cultural, health and
educational programs – including two ICEF charter schools – all designed to motivate, educate and elevate South LA’s youth to become responsible, caring, productive adults and make positive life choices. www.cbgcla.org

ICEF Public Schools – ICEF operates 13 public charter schools that serve over 2,900 students in South Los Angeles. ICEF was founded in 1994 by former Harvard-Westlake English teacher Michael Piscal and investment banker Stephen C. Smith, along with supporters Kevin P. O’Brien and Jim O’Brien. ICEF
has successfully placed 100% of its first two graduating classes into college. With several thousand students on its waiting list, ICEF is continuing its mission of preparing its students to attend and compete at the top colleges and universities in the nation. www.icefpublicschools.org

The Success Through the Arts Foundation (STTAF) – was originally founded in 2000 by Howard and Cathy Stone as Friends of Washington Prep Foundation with a mission to create an environment where students of all ages who have been traditionally under served by the public schools, underrepresented in higher education, and deprived of opportunities can learn to appreciate and produce music and art. The lessons learned through the performing arts programs can enable them to realize rich and productive lives, and benefit from the arts as a means of building self-esteem, self discipline, and social adjustment. www.sttaf.org

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2008
6:30 P.M. - COCKTAILS, DINNER & ENTERTAINMENT
THE SKIRBALL CULTURAL CENTER

They are looking for in-kind donations for 500 gift bags for this event. If you would like to support Dream Believe Achieve Gala please contact Joann Socrates at 323-971-6161 x 252 or jsocrates@cbgcla.org

The Hopeful Hearts Foundation was founded by Adam and Terra Chez, parents of twins Gracie and Luke, both their twins were born with congenital heart defects.

Luke and Gracie were born February 9, 2005 at Long Beach Memorial hospital and within 48 hours were flown to Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles. Gracie had her first open heart surgery on February 14, 2005.  The same day our sweet son Luke had a catheterzation to determine if he also would need open heart surgery. On the morning of January 9, 2008 their sweet baby girl Gracie passed away.

April of 2008 Hopeful Hearts was established.

Our foundation has been formed on principles that will help build both awareness and support for all families that have been affected by Congenital Heart Disease. We are committed to help fund research for heart valve replacement and for the care involved form the corrective surgery through the integral healing and recovery process. Through this foundation it is our Hope that we will promote children’s health while honoring our son Luke and always carrying on the memory of our Daughter Gracie. Our life was forever changed after the passing of our daughter Gracie. Our hope now is to find a way to bring hope to families with children of congenital heart defects.

On November 8, 2008 Hopeful Hearts is excited to present a charity event called “A Night to Remember.” The event will be held at Balboa Bay Club and Resort in Newport Beach, California. This is going to be an unforgettable night featuring a silent auction, guest speakers, dinner and entertainment, with all proceeds being given to Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. As part of the silent auction we are going to feature a number of unique packages and we are hoping that “your company” will be able to contribute to our inaugural auction and help children battling congenital heart disease.

If you’d like to support the Hopeful Hearts Foundation do so by filling out the In-Kind Donation Form.

CONTACT INFORMACTION

Hopeful Hearts

P.O. Box 8255

Newport Beach, CA 92658

terrachez@hopeful-hearts.org

http://hopeful-hearts.org

The Windflower Ball

An Evening to Benefit First Candle

Helping Babies Survive and Thrive

In the spring of 1998, two parents who lost a child to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, along with a group of committed volunteers and advocates, held the very first Windflower Ball, a fundraising event that supported programs in the area of SIDS research and education.

Beginning in 2004, the Windflower Ball was hosted by First Candle to benefit the organization’s key programs of public and professional education, research, advocacy and family support services.

Each year one or more deserving individuals who have “made the world a better place for children” are honored. Past honorees have included Gerber Products Company; the CEO of Babies”R”Us, Rick Markee; leaders in the baby and parenting education media representing American Baby magazine, Babycenter.com and iVillage Parenting Network; Colleen Barrett, President of Southwest Airlines; and researchers from the Children’s National Medical Center, Columbia and Harvard universities.

First Candle is one of the nation’s leading charities dedicated to infant health and survival.

With regard to organizational management, First Candle prides itself on its ability to maintain its administrative and fundraising costs below the nonprofit industry standard. In acknowledgement of this and its work, First Candle has received the following accolades:

· First Candle was named as one of the Nation’s Top 100 Charities out of 80,000 organizations surveyed by Worth Magazine.

· The organization meets all standards set by the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Guide.

· Parenting and Parents magazines recognized First Candle as one of the Top Fifteen Children’s Charities in America.

The Windflower Ball is held at a leading venue in New York City. For more information on the Windflower Ball, please contact First Candle’s President, Dr. Marian Sokol, at 800-2217437 or via email at marian.sokol@firstcandle.org.

If you’d like to make a donation you can fill out the Auction Donation form.