Hillsides, a Los Angeles children’s charity, kicked off its fifth annual Foster Soles celebrity auction at Bar Celona restaurant in Pasadena on May 22.
Foster Soles is an online auction of celebrity autographed shoes, handbags, or other personal items along with headshots. At the party, co-hosted by Dr. Drew Pinsky of “Dr. Drew on Call” and his wife Susan, guests got the chance to preview signed items from such stars as Elton John, Carson Daly, and the rock band No Doubt while nibbling on tapas and drinking Sangria as well as a special tasting of Adam Carolla's Mangria.
Several stars were on hand for the evening, including NBC anchorwoman Colleen Williams, NBC weathercaster Fritz Coleman, John E. Mahon, a percussionist and vocalist for the Elton John band, Canada’s sensational pop artist, Jayne Avaunte, Mr. Robotic, the new face and song for Coca-Cola, artist and musician JD Schultz, and Tess Broussard from the “Kroll Show” on Comedy Central.
The kickoff party and online auction, which is open until the second week of June, is held during Foster Care Awareness month in May to raise awareness of national foster care issues and the plight of children and youth in the system.
Bidders can click here to bid on 100 celebrity items, including two VIP tickets to a live taping of "Real Time with Bill Maher," a Blink-182 autographed Fender electric guitar, an Elton John band tambourine signed by Elton John and percussionists John Mahon and Ray Cooper, and No Doubt’s autographed framed Billboard magazine cover. Dr. Drew, Honey Boo Boo (Alana Thompson) and artist JD Schultz teamed up to create a one-of-a-kind original art piece called “Childhood Dreams.” The 54″ × 54″ painting can be viewed online.
“Hillsides is a model for how we should approach people who have been through traumatic childhoods and traumatic family systems. If we had 10,000 Hillsides around the country, it would be a much healthier place,” said Dr. Drew Pinsky, “But we don’t and we’re lucky in Pasadena to have the one. That’s why I’m asking you to participate along with me and my wife in Hillsides Foster Soles.”
Other celebrities who are participating or have participated in Foster Soles include Jennifer Hudson, Zooey Deschanel, Adam Sandler, Ellen DeGeneres, Faith Hill, James Franco, Zac Efron, Reese Witherspoon, Halle Berry, Tim McGraw, Ellen Pompeo, John Stamos, Denzel Washington, Seth Green, Mario Lopez, Sugar Ray Leonard, Adrian Grenier, Nancy Grace, Wendy Williams, Gabriel Iglesias, Jane Kaczmarek, Billy Bob Thornton, Tim Allen, Jimmy Kimmel, Joan and Melissa Rivers, Larry King, Anderson Cooper, Piers Morgan, Dave Koz, Charles Barkley, Robert Horry, Billy Zane, Mike Epps, Marlee Matlin, cast from Burn Notice, Chelsea Handler, Markie Post, Mark Harmon, Pam Dawber, Kate Linder, Edie Falco, Rona Barrett, Kim Coates, Kaitlin Olson, Devon Werkheiser, Samantha Harris, and cast from The Bold & The Beautiful.
Event sponsors were Wells Fargo, Disney, THE Magazine, Technology Fusion, and Bar Celona. Proceeds of the auction benefit Hillsides, which is a premier provider dedicated to improving the overall well-being and functioning of vulnerable children, youth, and their families. Besides providing special education, transitional living and support services, as well as community-based services, Hillsides offers programs for children in or transitioning out of the foster care system. For more information on Foster Soles and Hillsides, click here.
Source: PRWeb.com
