STARS COME OUT—Greg Grunberg of the Band from TV serenades actress Jennifer Love Hewitt during last weekend’s THE (Together Helping Education) Event fundraiser in Calabasas. Photo: RICHARD GILLARD/Acorn Newspapers

Declaring it a windfall for the students and teachers of the Las Virgenes Unified School District, the organizers of last Saturday’s gala dubbed THE Event are saying the $150-aticket party in Calabasas raised more than $400,000.

“We were hoping among ourselves to make $100,000, $150,000, we thought that was pretty aggressive,” said Jessica Pinto Nedick, co-chair of THE Event. “So when the total numbers came back, we were just blown away.”

The celebrity-laden evening soiree at the Calabasas Tennis and Swim Center was the inaugural fundraising gala for Together Helping Education, a foundation started in December 2010 by a group of community members concerned about statewide cuts to public education.

Pinto Nedick, who co-chaired the event alongside Marc Hernandez and Deanna Glassberg, said the nonprofit group saw the evening as an opportunity to raise awareness about the foundation and to raise the alarm about the funding plight of local schools. But it turned out to be much more.

CELEBS—Chris Harrison, host of TV’s “The Bachelor,” and Greg Grunberg, actor and founder of Band from TV, entertain the crowd at THE Event at Calabasas Tennis and Swim Center last Saturday. Harrison and Grunberg both have children in LVUSD schools. Photo: RICHARD GILLARD/Acorn Newspapers

It really showed what this community is capable of doing when given the opportunity to unite …” Pinto Nedick said.

Greeted by balmy weather and the opportunity to taste fine wines and sample some of the area’s high-end restaurants—Maestro’s and Fleming’s steak houses among them—more than 1,000 guests filled the outdoor venue to near capacity. And when time came for the live auction, the crowd of LVUSD parents and supporters didn’t keep their hands stuck in their pockets.

With Chris Harrison—host of TV’s “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette” and parent of a child at White Oak Elementary in Westlake Village—lending his services as master of ceremonies, and professional auctioneer Jeff Tanenbaum handling the bidders, the live auction raised approximately $160,000, including $85,000 during the auction’s “Raise Your Paddle” portion.

“I was crying,” Pinto Nedick said. “We were hoping to have a few people raise those paddles— this is literally just people giving money, they get nothing in return. Our estimate was $20,000 or $30,000, and we raised $85,000 in 10 minutes.”

Asked how THE Event was able to be successful when so many nonprofits are struggling, Pinto Nedick credited the foundation’s executive board members with coming up with a fundraiser that really fit the community—then calling every number in their Rolodex to drum up support for it.

“We really reached out to our relationships and our connections and created what we thought would be an incredible coming-out party, and all of it is to benefit teachers and counselors,” she said.

No connection was more important than the one forged between foundation president Hernandez, and Greg Grunberg, whose children are in the same class at Round Meadow Elementary School in Calabasas.

Parents bid at the auction. Photos by RICHARD GILLARD/Acorn Newspapers

Grunberg, a familiar face to TV viewers from his roles on NBC’s “Heroes” and more recently on Lifetime’s “The Client List,” also happens to be the parent of three boys at three different schools in the school district. His oldest, 16-yearold Jake, goes to Agoura High School; Ben, 12, is at A.E. Wright Middle School and youngest Sam, 8, is at Round Meadow Elementary.

When Hernandez, part-owner of Brent Deli’s in Westlake Village, approached Grunberg about helping with the event, both he and wife Elizabeth—who were later named honorary co-chairs—jumped in full force, Pinto Nedick said.

“They are an incredible couple,” she said of the Grunbergs.

Greg Grunberg not only offered to invite all his celebrity friends, but he offered to let his band, Band from TV—a group comprising actors from popular shows like “Lost” and “Desperate Housewives”— play for free.

“It was such a smart thing (for the foundation) to do, to give a very direct invitation to these parents who want to do something, who want to help out the schools, ‘Hey, come have a party,’” said Grunberg, who has his own foundation dedicated to raising awareness about epileptic seizures.

During its hour-long performance Saturday night, the band welcomed special cameos by comedian Wayne Brady and actress Jennifer Love Hewitt, both friends of Grunberg. Also seen at the event: boxer Audley Harrison, a member of THE, and Backstreet Boys band member Kevin Richardson.

“This school district was so ripe and ready for something well organized and put together,” Grunberg said. “(The credit) goes directly to Marc, Jessica and Deanna (Glassberg), they put in so much hard work and it showed. It was just flawless.”

Pinto Nedick said the best thing about last Saturday’s event wasn’t the great food, wine or music—it was that audience members bought into the foundation’s message.

“Our message was very clear: We have the control. We can make what happens in Sacramento irrelevant to our children’s education, that was our message, and that resonated. People got it.”

Source: The Acorn Press
http://www.theacorn.com/news/2012–06-14/Front_Page/THE_Big_Event.html

Band From TV joins local business and community leaders as well as residents from Calabasas, Westlake Village, Agoura Hills, Bell Canyon, Hidden Hills and West Hills for the first annual event in support of the Las Virgenes Unified School District and its newly-established education foundation—T.H.E. Foundation: Together Helping Education.

T.H.E. Event takes place Saturday, June 9, at the Calabasas Tennis & Swim Center from 5–10:30 p.m.

The mission of T.H.E. Foundation for Las Virgenes Schools is to provide direct financial support to LVUSD (Las Virgenes Unified School District)

Read the full article here:
http://agourahills.patch.com/articles/hollywood-comes-to-the-burbs-for-the-first-annual-the-event-for-education

For more info:
http://www.theeventparty.org

Visit their Facebook Page

What began simply as a love of music and simply jamming with friends has evolved into concerts before packed houses playing rock and roll for worthy charitable causes around the world.

On February 18–20, Band from TV played before sold out crowds at Fallsview Casino Resort’s 1500-seat Avalon Theatre. This represented the band’s third visit to Fallsview, a venue they consider one of the finest they’ve played. “Fallsview is great, with great people having as much fun as we do. I love to go to the Falls,” says Greg Grunberg, the band’s founder.

Between shows, Grunberg and fellow cast members took time to speak with us about the band, their love of music, and their passion for supporting charities.

Scott Grimes is perhaps known for playing Dr. Archie Morris on the NBC prime time show “ER”, a role he started in 2003 until the series’ end in 2009. But he’s also an accomplished musician. In fact, he started singing at a young age and as a child appeared on a Bob Hope TV Special in 1986 taped in Sweden with the King and Queen in attendance. Today, he sings and plays keyboards with other celebrities as a member of Band From TV.

Scott Grimes was already acquainted with the band when asked to join by founder Greg Grunberg and readily agreed. “I just love being a member of the band, and it’s an honour to be a part of it,” Scott says.
Every member of Band from TV plays for their own charity, raising approximately $3 million to date for various causes. For his part, Scott plays for Lupus LA, the West Coast division of S.L.E. Lupus Foundation. “After having dear friends be diagnosed with lupus, and another passing on due to the illness, raising money for lupus was something I wanted to do,” he says.

Scott finds pure joy in performing. Even today, 2 years and almost 30 shows after joining, you still could hear the excitement in Scott’s voice when talking about his participation in Band from TV. “Our rehearsal space is like no other. We went from a garage band to a great man cave. We’ve had so many wonderful people donate so much that it’s become a great place to rehearse,” he explains. “We have a lot of fun on stage, right down to dancing like little girls. It’s a great show and everyone should see it”.

We asked Scott if there was anything else he wanted to share: “Yes! I want to thank Greg Grunberg and Bob Guiney for allowing me to be a part of the band, which enables me to give back to charities. That’s the best part of it”.

Band from TV owes its existence to Greg Grunberg, an actor well known for his roles in television hits “Lost”, “Heroes”, “Alias” and “Felicity”. Though an accomplished actor, Greg has always had a desire to play music.

“I started playing drums in a garage band. Isn’t that where everyone starts, in someone’s garage?” Greg laughs.

When asked to play a gig at the House of Blues with a couple of celebrities. The performance generated an overwhelming interest. Inspired by this reaction, Greg decided to form a celebrity band that could also serve as a platform for another passion: raising money for charitable causes. “My oldest son has epilepsy and I saw a celebrity band as a wonderful vehicle to help raise money for the National Epilepsy Foundation,” explains Greg, a philanthropist by nature.

To that end, Greg enlisted other celebrities like Hugh Laurie from “House,” James Denton from “Desperate Housewives,” and Bob Guiney who appeared on “The Bachelor” and Band from TV was formed. Soon after, Adrian Pasdar (“Heroes”) and Scott Grimes joined as well. Rounding out the band is Chris Kelley, the music director, Barry Sarna from the Eagles, and Brad Savage, a former child star who plays bass.

Greg wants people to become aware of the website he founded, TalkAboutIt.org, which was designed to raise awareness and funds for people with epilepsy. Greg is the official spokesperson for TalkAboutIt.org and for the Epilepsy Foundation. “There is a lot of Myths out there about Epilepsy and with the help of other celebrities and doctors we hope to educate people”.

While talented actors, the band is about celebrating music and most importantly raising money through music to help those in need. It’s heartwarming to see celebrities, even with busy personal and professional lives, finding the time to come together and jam on behalf of charity.

Source: Today Magazine

James Denton (Honorary Chairman)
Mark Horak, Michelle Horak & Melissa Horak (Co-Chairs)
and The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Invite You To Join Them For One Last Time at…

COME SAY FAREWELL TO THIS NOTORIOUS NEIGHBORHOOD!
April 21, 2012
Universal Studios Back Lot
6:30PM to 10:00PM

It was a little more than a decade ago, on a sunny day, in a beautiful suburb called Fairview, that Mary Alice Young shattered the quiet when she ended it all. Since then, Wisteria Lane has never been the same. Join us for a last stroll down this now-legendary street and a chance to bid farewell to the women who have entertained us. 

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
4929 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 760
Los Angeles,CA   90010
For more info: Contact Chanda Fuller
323–939-0758     cfuller@cff.org

Source: www.wisterialaneblockparty.com

Support Team Talk About It!!

Hi, This is Greg Grunberg!

Welcome to our ‘Team Talk About It!’ page for the Walk to End Epilepsy!

Over 5 million people in the United States and 50 million people around the world are living with epilepsy, including my oldest son Jake — our team captain.

I created The ‘Talk About It!’ Foundation to help change the world for all the sons and daughters living with seizures. We MUST talk about epilepsy so people know what to do if they see someone having a seizure. We MUST talk about epilepsy to get the attention needed to find a cure.

On October 16, I am excited to partner with my friends at the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Los Angeles for their annual Walk to End Epilepsy at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena.

We are going to TALK and WALK about it together! I can’t wait to meet everyone.

Your support will help fund both the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Los Angeles AND The ‘Talk About It!’ Foundation. We are working together to raise awareness, as well as fund care, advocacy, research and education, today, while investing in research and hope for tomorrow.

Thank you SO MUCH! And remember, we all need to TALK ABOUT IT!!

Source: Walk to End Epilepsy