By Crystal A. Johnson on
Actress Holly Robinson-Peete and her husband, former NFL player Rodney Peete, held their 10th annual “Design Care” event benefiting The HollyRod Foundation – which raises money for adults and children battling debilitating disease and life circumstances including Parkinson’s Disease and autism – on July 19.
The Design Care event is an evening of fashion, music and charity. What started as a gathering of 150 people at the home of Holly and Rodney has grown to a guest list of 500 people. To date, DesignCare has raised over $2 million.
This year, the HollyRod Foundation honored Cedric the Entertainer with the 2008 HollyRod Humanitarian Award; businessman James Warsaw with the Matthew T. Robinson Award of Courage; and philanthropist Lisette Ackerberg with the Angel on the Path Award. The first annual Champion Award was presented by hollyrod4kids to Jason “JMac” Mc Elwain – the teen basketball player with autism.
The live auction led by John Salley featured exclusive items such as a Smart Car courtesy of Mercedes-Benz of Beverly Hills, a trip for two to attend a taping of the Oprah Winfrey Show in Chicago, and a MotoPure H12 diamond encrusted Bluetooth headset among other luxurious items.
Celebrities in attendance included Vanessa Williams, Amy Yasbeck, Lisa Renna, Cheri Oteri, Eric LaSalle, and Regina King, and recording artist Maxwell performed at this year’s event.
The foundation was founded in 1997 in honor of Holly’s father, Matthew T. Robinson, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 1982 at age of 46.
Copyright © 2008 Look to the Stars
