On Thursday, November 3, John Stamos joined the classic rock band America to present Helping Change Happen: An Evening of Music, Merriment, and Making a Difference.
Held at West Hollywood’s acclaimed Red O restaurant, the red carpet drew a star-studded, standing-room only crowd to learn about mothers2mothers (m2m), a non-profit organization working to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV in sub-Saharan Africa. America culminated the night with a musical performance including their classic hits “A Horse with No Name,” “Ventura Highway,” and “Sister Golden Hair.”
On hand to lend support for the evening were Stamos’ former Full House cast-mates Lori Loughlin, Candace Cameron Bure, and Jodie Sweetin, along with Full House creator Jeff Franklin. Also in attendance were Jerry Ferrara, Nia Vardalos, Ian Gomez, Nancy Ritter, Peri Gilpin, Annabeth Gish, and Linda Cardellini. VIP Patrons included Robert and Catherine Beyer, Marvin and Sondra Smalley, and Miles and Angie Rogers. VIPs and celebrities alike toasted with tequila and tapas before the event.
John Stamos led the evening with opening remarks, and introduced mothers2mothers Co-Founder Robin Smalley. m2m Site Coordinator Patience Kweyam spoke poignantly about her experience as a mother living with HIV and as an m2m employed health care educator working with HIV-positive pregnant women and new mothers in a health clinic in Durban, South Africa.
Later in the evening, America band members Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell took the stage with John Stamos on the drums, and guests enjoyed a live performance of their memorable hits.
All proceeds from the evening benefited mothers2mothers in its efforts to eliminate pediatric HIV in Africa, keep mothers alive, empower and educate women living with HIV, and fight stigma and discrimination targeting HIV-positive mothers. Operating a simple and effective model, m2m educates, employs, and empowers mothers living with HIV to keep themselves and their children healthy. In 2010 m2m reached one in every five pregnant women in the world living with HIV.
