The entertainment industry’s biggest stars are set to shine this weekend at the annual Academy Awards, but the night before the big event they will be partying it up to support the Motion Picture and Television Fund Foundation.
The 7th annual The Night Before event will take place on Saturday, February 21, at the iconic Beverly Hills Hotel, and aims to help provide charitable health and community services to entertainment industry people in need.
The first Night Before event was held in 2003 and instantly became one of the most coveted invitations in town kicking off what is now a much-anticipated awards season tradition. Since its inception, the Night Before fundraiser has raised more than $30 million for MPTF.
“This event raises more money to help the entertainment industry than any other single event we do,” said Ken Scherer, CEO of the Motion Picture & Television Fund Foundation. “The money raised here during the past six years has changed the lives of countless people in the entertainment industry, through the various services and programs offered by MPTF.”
MPTF Chairman Jeffrey Katzenberg added: “This year, more than any other, we are asking the entertainment industry to come out and help those in the business who are facing some type of hardship, financial or otherwise. There are people who are losing their cars and homes; the need has never been greater. The money raised from this event will enable MPTF to keep up with the increasing requests for help and hopefully we wont have to have to say ‘no’ to anyone.”
Celebrities on this year’s hosting committee include: Jennifer Aniston, Tanya Haden Black & Jack Black, Kate Capshaw & Steven Spielberg, Don Cheadle, George Clooney, Luciana & Matt Damon, Cameron Diaz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jamie Foxx, Jake Gyllenhaal, Katie Holmes & Tom Cruise, Angelina Jolie & Brad Pitt, Jennifer & Tobey Maguire, Jada Pinkett Smith & Will Smith, Christine Taylor & Ben Stiller, Justin Timberlake, Rachel Weisz, Rita Wilson & Tom Hanks, Kate Winslet & Sam Mendes, Reese Witherspoon, Renee Zellweger, Catherine Zeta Jones & Michael Douglas.
The non-profit Motion Picture & Television Fund, headquartered in Woodland Hills, Calif., was founded in 1921 to provide “relief” for those in the film industry who had fallen on hard times. Today, 85 years later, MPTF is a major service provider supporting the health and well being of the entertainment community. Healthcare, childcare, retirement living and social/charitable services are offered with compassion and respect for the dignity of the whole person. Care is offered through the MPTF 250-bed hospital, five outpatient health centers, charitable financial assistance and community outreach programs, a full-scale retirement community and a children’s day care center. More information is available here.
