People say a lot of things about The Heartfelt Foundation. Things like: they do great work on a shoestring budget; they help a lot of people, notably the homeless in Los Angeles; they are always ready with a helping hand. Now there’s a new comment to add to the list: they sure know how to throw a comedy evening!
Who would’ve guessed that A-List comedians from Louie Anderson to Judy Tenuta would show up for free to support a fundraiser for a not-exactly-household-word charitable organization? But they did. And they didn’t just toss off a few jokes and amble off stage. They gave a SHOW, baby.
The event was held at the world famous Comedy Store in Hollywood, and in addition to the admission price ($125 per person) a silent auction was held to raise more funds for the work Heartfelt does day in & day out. Olympic runner Carl Lewis was on the scene to autograph a framed Wheaties box with his picture on it (raised $1500), and several other high ticket prizes were auctioned off from the stage.
Then Patti Rayner, Director of Heartfelt, took the stage to thank the donors and give a brief report of the work Heartfelt had been able to do over the past 12 months as a result of last year’s Comedy Fundraiser. She spoke of the Back to School event for children which expanded from reaching 500 homeless and disadvantaged children to 1,000; and how Heartfelt rehabilitated and relocated a young mother with 9 children out of a homeless shelter in Los Angeles and back to their family in Louisiana. Patti was, as always, beautiful and gracious in her presentation.
The show resumed and, in addition to some of the funniest comedians in the world, a couple other notable guests showed up. For those of you who try to follow the comings & goings of MSIA and Heartfelt founder John-Roger, he was there and, from all appearances, having a heck of a good time. The other surprise celebrity who dropped by was none other than Stevie Wonder. He did not come to sing, but rather, to praise Heartfelt and talk of love. He was truly inspiring in his heartfelt message. The event’s fantastic MC, Tommy Davidson, actually did get Stevie singing impromptu and acapella renditions of “Love’s in Need of Love Today” and “Boogie-On Reggae Woman” that brought the audience to its feet cheering.
Word has it that much of the success of the evening — Heartfelt’s one big fundraiser for the year — was thanks to the Hubbard/Raynr brothers; and, of course, the event could not have happened without a team of extraordinary volunteers too extensive to mention here, but led by Karen Cicero, Neal Cohen, Steve Shepherd, Joyce Cele and Sonia Trejo.
From the attendance and the activity around the silent auction and raffle areas, it looked like a good night for Heartfelt. But not so good that, if you are so moved, your donation wouldn’t help. A lot.
You can contact the Heartfelt Foundation to volunteer or to make a donation by email to serve@heartfelt.org, or call (310) 829-7857.
Next year, be there!!! It’s an amazingly entertaining evening that will delight you and provide rewards far beyond the donation price.
