On Thursday, November 7th, 2019, actor, producer, co-host of “Access Hollywood” and humanitarian Mario Lopez, presented the Spirit of the House Award to Hollywood couple and humanitarians, Roselyn Sanchez and Eric Winter, at the Ronald McDonald House Los Angeles’ star-studded Give Easy event at Avalon Hollywood.
Lopez is a passionate advocate for children and has been a long-time supporter of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, which is where many of the Ronald McDonald House Los Angeles kids receive treatment. During his speech, Lopez noted that his friends Sanchez and Winter have, “committed their time, energy and resources to advocate for underprivileged, sick and homeless youth around the world. They utilize their platform to shine a spotlight on the plight of children in need and they make their humanitarian work a priority in their lives.”
Sanchez, who will make her directorial debut with the short film “Satos,” and Eric Winter, who currently stars on the hit ABC show “The Rookie,” was deeply honored to be recognized for their advocacy work.... “To have a sick child is one of the most harrowing and emotional challenges any family can ever face. Ronald McDonald House Los Angeles stands as a beacon of hope and support for countless families in their greatest hour of need. We are so humbled to be in the presence of such inspiring children and loving families”, said Sanchez and Winter.
Hollywood stars and generous donors at Ronald McDonald House Los Angeles’ “Give Easy” benefit was transported back in time to Casa 75, a 1920’s speakeasy with custom retro décor and signature floral installations created by Midnight Oil and Bloominous.
Guests arrived in their 1920’s threads and enjoyed a fun-filled night of dancing, entertainment and magic to benefit the families who call Ronald McDonald House Los Angeles their home away from home when their children are receiving treatment at local children’s hospitals.
Partygoers enjoyed gourmet stations serving delicious comfort food. Sweet snacks included the My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream Mochi Bar™, the Love Swirls confectionery mobile pop-up cart swirling organic cotton candy on site, SuggaFoot Catering’s blueberry and peach cobbler empanadas, and Sugar Boy’s vegan dessert bar which featured exquisite cupcakes, cookies, and cakes. Guests wetted their whistles with curated vintage cocktails by Sesión Tequila and High Five Spirits Distillery brands Gypsy Vodka, Petoskey Stone Gin, and Mackinac Island Rum, plus a selection of Prohibition-era beers from Speakeasy Ales & Lagers.
Professor Watson kept the dance-floor packed with his set of standards and electro-swing, and the LA Follies dazzled with their Charleston and Swing numbers. The evening featured a special performance by recording artist Blake Lewis (“American Idol” finalist) who sang his original hits “Pot of Gold” and “Gots 2 Get Her” and wowed with jazzy covers of pop songs such as “Mr. Brightside”, “Careless Whisper” and “Radioactive”.
Sleight of hand saloon Magic | Bar hosted a pop-up experience, featuring beloved headliners from The Magic Castle, Benjamin Schrader, Jonathan Levit and John Accardo.
Curtis J. Moore Photography and Midnight Oil presented an interactive green-screen photo booth experience. Ronald McDonald House Los Angeles supporters were able to Unlock Hope in a one-of-a-kind experience, designed by Midnight Oil.
AT&T was presented with the Corporate Champion Award for their continued support of this deserving non-profit. Partygoers also supported Ronald McDonald House Los Angeles with the Kendra Scott Jewelry Pull and won priceless experience packages during the live auction and raffle.
The Give Easy benefit was made possible by the generous support of Committee Chair Susan Steen and Committee members Brytani Garnett, Marsha Garnett, Kala Kascht,
Melanie Pozez, Jay Blumberg and Courtney Washington.
Give Easy was generously supported by Acacia Wealth Advisors, AT&T, Bame Public Relations, Buchwald, Capital Group, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Drinker Biddle & Reath, Jay Blumberg and Melanie Pozez, Kaiser Permanente, Lieberman Research Worldwide, McDonald’s, Payden & Rygel, Professional Plastics, PWC, Super Joey Foundation , The Goldwin Foundation, Uka Solanki Foundation, Union Bank, Will & Jada Smith Family Foundation . The Give Easy benefit was produced by Trueheart.
Hollywood’s brightest stars from television, film, music and sports, including Alex Meneses (“Why Women Kill”), Anna Trebunskya (“Dancing With The Stars”), Angel Conwell (“The Young & The Restless”), Ashley Iaconetti (“Bachelor In Paradise”), Aubrey Anderson Emmons (“Modern Family”), Benjamin Schrader (magician), Blake Lewis (“American Idol”), Brooks Darnell (“A Christmas Miracle”), Camila Banus (“Days of Our Lives”), Chloe East (“Generation”), Comfort Fedoke (“So You think You Can Dance”), Dakota Lotus (“Coop and Cami”), Diane Farr (“Splitting Up Together”), Elliott Yamin (“American Idol”), Emerson Min (“Black-ish”), Emily Skinner (“Andi Mack”), Eric Winter (“The Rookie”), Heather Rae Young (“Selling Sunset”), Hudson Thames (recording artist), India de Beaufort (“Emergence”), Jake T. Austin (“Rio 2”), Jared Haibon (“Bachelor In Paradise”), Jason Liles (“Rampage”), Jen Lilley (“Days of Our Lives”), John Accardo (magician), Jonathan Levit (magician), Jovan Armand (“Shazam!”), Juan Riedinger (“Claws”), Kimmy Shields (“Insatiable”), Kitana Turnbull (“A Series Of Unfortunate Events”), Lilia Buckingham (“Bratz’s Crown Lake”), Mario Lopez (co-host of “Access Hollywood”), Mary Fitzgerald (“Selling Sunset”), Michael Melor (“The Young And The Restless”), Nathan Lovejoy (“Gabby Duran”), Oliver Trevena (“TV host), Parker Bates (“This Is Us”), Perez Hilton (TV personality), Peyton Lee (“Andi Mack”), Roselyn Sanchez (“Grand Hotel”), Scott Heineman (Texas Rangers), Sean Giambrone (“The Goldbergs”), Sheree Zampino (TV personality), Sloane Siegel (“Dwight In Shining Armor”), Sohvi Rodriguez (“Animal Kingdom”), Tarek El Moussa (“Flip or Flop”), Todd Grinnell (“One Day At A Time”), Tony Azevedo (USA Water Polo), Trinitee Stokes (“KC Undercover”), Trinity Bliss (“Avatar 2”), Tyler Heineman (Miami Marlins), Valery Ortiz (“Gabby Duran”) and Victoria Arlen (co-host of “American Ninja Warrior Junior”) attended to show their love and support for Ronald McDonald House Los Angeles.
