Feb-March Issue
Published: 07/14/2010
The Summer’s Hottest White Party Fundraises More Than $84,000 Allowing Expanded Mentorship Programs For Children Affected by Cancer
Coupled with the indie rock star power of Billboard hit singer Rocco DeLuca, an exclusive live auction event, appetizing samplings of some of LA’s best restaurants and lounges and the hottest BMW models, Walk With Sally’s annual White Light White Night fundraiser rocked the South Bay Saturday, July 10. The charity is proud to announce that the evening raised in excess of $84,000, which will be utilized to expand its mentorship program for children whose parents or siblings are fighting or have died from cancer.
“We are so thrilled with the response that White Light White Night has received from the community,” says Nick Arquette, founder of Walk With Sally. “The event has become a can’t-miss party on Angelenos’ calendars, but it also provides an opportunity to remind the community of the deeply broken lives of so many Los Angeles families due to cancer. This year’s event not only provided a great fundraising opportunity, but also invited new mentors, volunteers and corporate partners to get involved with our programs.”
More than 600 guests flaunted their best white attire on Saturday to support the cause. Emceed by KTLA newswoman Mary Beth McDade, the evening’s festivities began with a VIP silent auction, offering exclusive vacation packages and sports memorabilia, and a star-studded red carpet that included appearances by Scott Elrod, Brandon Molale, Peter Berg, Danny Arroyo, KTLA weatherwoman Jackie Johnson and boxer Sergio Mora. Atop the roof of South Bay BMW, the main event included a food and beverage fair featuring some of the hottest restaurants and bars in the South Bay including Mucho, Zinc Lounge, Twelve and Highland, Buona Vita, Four Daughters, Memphis Café, Sylvio’s, Gonpachi, and desserts from Gotta Have S’More.
Highlights of the evening included a video montage of Walk With Sally children and their mentors, the signature moment of “White Light blessing” where guests are encouraged by Arquette to envision a “white light” healing loved ones affected by cancer, an exclusive live auction offering a seven-night “Andean Experience” with luxury travel service Luxury Link, the traditional “Stand Up For A Kid” where guests have the opportunity to sponsor one child in the program for a full-year and Rocco DeLuca’s moving hour-long one-man set that included a breathtaking performance of his hit song “Colorful.”
Following the success of this year’s event, Walk With Sally looks to expand its footprint even further into the greater L.A. area, allowing for more families to participate in the mentorship programs and offering more opportunities for volunteers to give back. It is estimated that it takes about $1000 of funding per child to sponsor them through the Walk With Sally program for a year.
Arquette reflects, “For many of our kids, their mentors are the only consistent adult role models that they have. As the cancer takes its toll on the family, the kids are forced to face the pain of moving households, entering foster care and even the devastating death of a loved one. If we can continue to brighten the life of one child at a time, then our hard work is worth it.”
To find out more about being a mentor Walk With Sally mentor or benefactor, visit www.walkwithsally.org.
All pictures by Ian Logan. Click on any photo to enlarge
Coupled with the indie rock star power of Billboard hit singer Rocco DeLuca, an exclusive live auction event, appetizing samplings of some of LA’s best restaurants and lounges and the hottest BMW models, Walk With Sally’s annual White Light White Night fundraiser rocked the South Bay Saturday, July 10. The charity is proud to announce that the evening raised in excess of $84,000, which will be utilized to expand its mentorship program for children whose parents or siblings are fighting or have died from cancer.
“We are so thrilled with the response that White Light White Night has received from the community,” says Nick Arquette, founder of Walk With Sally. “The event has become a can’t-miss party on Angelenos’ calendars, but it also provides an opportunity to remind the community of the deeply broken lives of so many Los Angeles families due to cancer. This year’s event not only provided a great fundraising opportunity, but also invited new mentors, volunteers and corporate partners to get involved with our programs.”
More than 600 guests flaunted their best white attire on Saturday to support the cause. Emceed by KTLA newswoman Mary Beth McDade, the evening’s festivities began with a VIP silent auction, offering exclusive vacation packages and sports memorabilia, and a star-studded red carpet that included appearances by Scott Elrod, Brandon Molale, Peter Berg, Danny Arroyo, KTLA weatherwoman Jackie Johnson and boxer Sergio Mora. Atop the roof of South Bay BMW, the main event included a food and beverage fair featuring some of the hottest restaurants and bars in the South Bay including Mucho, Zinc Lounge, Twelve and Highland, Buona Vita, Four Daughters, Memphis Café, Sylvio’s, Gonpachi, and desserts from Gotta Have S’More.
Highlights of the evening included a video montage of Walk With Sally children and their mentors, the signature moment of “White Light blessing” where guests are encouraged by Arquette to envision a “white light” healing loved ones affected by cancer, an exclusive live auction offering a seven-night “Andean Experience” with luxury travel service Luxury Link, the traditional “Stand Up For A Kid” where guests have the opportunity to sponsor one child in the program for a full-year and Rocco DeLuca’s moving hour-long one-man set that included a breathtaking performance of his hit song “Colorful.”
Following the success of this year’s event, Walk With Sally looks to expand its footprint even further into the greater L.A. area, allowing for more families to participate in the mentorship programs and offering more opportunities for volunteers to give back. It is estimated that it takes about $1000 of funding per child to sponsor them through the Walk With Sally program for a year.
Arquette reflects, “For many of our kids, their mentors are the only consistent adult role models that they have. As the cancer takes its toll on the family, the kids are forced to face the pain of moving households, entering foster care and even the devastating death of a loved one. If we can continue to brighten the life of one child at a time, then our hard work is worth it.”
To find out more about being a mentor Walk With Sally mentor or benefactor, visit www.walkwithsally.org.
All pictures by Ian Logan. Click on any photo to enlarge
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Rocco Deluca
