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2006 Families Matter Benefit & Celebration
The 10th Annual Families Matter Benefit & Celebration
An Evening of “Magic"
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On Friday, May 19th, at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel, a capacity crowd was treated to an extra special evening marking the Tenth Anniversary of the Families Matter Benefit and Celebration. The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Dreamweaver Award to Jimmy Jam and Lisa Harris in honor of their dedicated efforts on behalf of family-friendly causes throughout the country |
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When Earvin
“Magic” Johnson stepped to the podium to present the Dreamweaver
Award to the Harris family, he had quite a surprise in store. Magic said
he had been so impressed with what he had learned about Friends of the
Family that he wanted to “make a little money” for this worthy
organization. He proceeded
to conduct an impromptu live auction, offering his personal courtside
Laker seats, dinner with him, and an autographed jersey as a deluxe
“package” that money usually can’t buy.
Thanks to the generosity of the enthusiastic crowd of supporters,
Magic’s auction raised $80,000 for Friends of the Family in about five
minutes! |
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Damon Wayans was a masterful host, sharing his one-of-a-kind family stories throughout the evening and setting just the right tone with his warm humor. |
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Actors Dan Cortese and Barry Shabaka Henley presented Family
Friend of the Year awards to the Cottrell-Cooke and Rodriguez families
who have overcome tremendous challenges with the help of Friends of the
Family programs. |
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Kids Chorus rounded out the evening with a medley of songs that brought
the audience to its feet in a standing ovation! |
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Anne
Palmer and Tracey Nanula were Co-Chairs of this year’s event which
broke all previous records by raising more than $600,000 to support the
many programs that Friends of the Family provides to families in need.
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15350 Sherman Way, Suite 140
Van Nuys, CA 91406
Telephone: (818) 988-4430
Fax: (818) 988-4633