ACT Today!’s Premiere Fall Autism Fundraiser is Going to the Dogs
ACT Today! (Autism Care and Treatment Today!), a national non-profit organization headquartered in Tarzana, California, plans to make its most highly talked about fundraiser, 6th Annual Denim & Diamonds for Autism, go to the dogs. Throughout the year, ACT Today! gets inundated with requests for assistance dogs from families of children with autism. The need has grown so great, that the premiere event, known for its glitz and glamour, array of celebrity support, and corporate sponsors will include a paddle auction specifically to raise funds to provide assistance dogs to 12 children with autism. Arizona Goldens LLC, a non-profit organization that places its trained dogs in the homes of children with special needs, will feature several of its Golden Retrievers at the event. The event will be held on Saturday, October 15, 2011 at the historic Ahmanson Ranch, located at 25345 Mureau Road, in Calabasas, California from 5pm to 11pm.
The 6th Annual Denim & Diamonds for Autism, diamond sponsored by TWIW Insurance Services, LLC and Vin Di Bona Productions, will recognize television personality Tom Bergeron (“Dancing with the Stars” and “America’s Funniest Home Videos”) and Rebecca Grossman, founder of the Grossman Burn Foundation. The two humanitarians have led this year’s long list of autism supporters for their extraordinary work in supporting ACT Today!’s mission. Bergeron will receive the ACTivist award for raising autism awareness not only in Hollywood, but across the nation. Grossman will receive the Golden Cowgirl award for her tireless efforts improving the lives of children with and without autism.
The event will include an outdoor cocktail reception plus VIP private reception, silent and live auctions, live entertainment and seated dinner program where Bergeron and Grossman will receive special tributes. 500 guests are expected to attend the red carpet “denim & diamonds” event, including celebrities (many from ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars”, including co-host Brooke Burke), dignitaries, past grant recipients and other supporters.
Corporate sponsors include: Diamond sponsors TWIW Insurance Services, LLC and Vin Di Bona Productions, Reaction Audio Visual, Universal City Nissan, UnitedHealthcare, CodeMetro, City National Bank, The Auto Gallery of Los Angeles, New Heights Entertainment, Joe Penich Company Realtors, Michael John Image, ONEHOPE Wine, Blue Angel Vodka, Fireman’s Brew, Charity Lives, GLO Hair Salon, AV Party Rentals, Sunshine Florist, Edible Arrangements and Indie Printing.
“This is such a great event for an even greater cause,” says singer Drew Lachey of 98 Degrees and event presenter. “I think what ACT Today! does to help children with autism inspires me to want to do more.”
The 6th Annual Denim & Diamonds for Autism Honorary Committee includes: Grammy Award Winning and Multi Platinum Recording Artist Michael Bolton, Olympic gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi, television host Brooke Burke, actor John Ratzenberger, actor Kyle Massey, actor Mark Christopher Lawrence, singer Drew Lachey, actor Chris Massey, actress Florence Henderson, NFL Super Bowl champion Lawrence Taylor, NFL Most Valuable Player Hines Ward, and astronaut Buzz Aldrin.
Events such as the 6th Annual Denim & Diamonds for Autism allows ACT Today! to raise essential funds to provide grants for families in desperate need of care and treatment. In the past year, ACT Today! has distributed $240,000 in grants to families.
For more information about the 6th Annual Denim & Diamonds for Autism, visit www.denimanddiamondsforautism.net.
