Mercedes Benz will present the “Carousel of Hope” on Saturday, October 11, 2014. Thirty-seven years after its founding, the celebrity-supported Children’s Diabetes Foundation has raised over $80 million from this star-studded biennial charity ball.
“This ball of hers is the superlative-buster, the 800-pounder on the charity calendar, the biggest, richest, puttin’-on-the-ritziest, arguably the most successful and longest-running good-deed society event in town–so large and lavish that it’s only given every other year”—Los Angeles Times
Among past Carousel of Hope honorees are Hillary Clinton, George Clooney, Stevie Wonder, Sidney Poitier, Clive Davis, Halle Berry, Frank Sinatra, Denzel Washington.
The Carousel of Hope, the world’s premiere charity event benefiting childhood diabetes and designated number-one benefit in southern California by BIZ BASH magazine, hosted biennially by Barbara Davis and presented by Mercedes Benz, is set for its 27th gala on Saturday, October 11, in Beverly Hills, at the Beverly Hilton.
The legendary, star-studded gala benefits the Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes (www.childrensdiabetesfoundation.org), voted the country’s number-one leading care and research center for type 1 diabetes.
The event’s blue ribbon committee has included Sir Michael Caine, Barbra Streisand, Denzel Washington, Sumner Redstone, Les Moonves, Paul and Maurice Marciano, Jane Fonda, Berry Gordy, Richard Gere, Carey Lowell, David Geffen, Brad Grey, Scarlett Johansson, Maria Shriver, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, Goldie Hawn, Sir Sidney Poitier and Sir Elton John.
Jay Leno will encore as Master of Ceremonies and David Foster and George Schlatter will, respectively, reprise their roles as music director and producer.
For the sixth consecutive time, Mercedes-Benz will be the presenting sponsor and on Sunday, September 28, under the banner of “Kids Helping Kids,” premier developer Rick Caruso is turning over The Grove in West Hollywood to the Carousel of Hope for a day of family activities, special lunch fare and diabetes testing.
Known for its lavish silent auction, among the biggest on the planet, the Carousel of Hope will once again feature a sumptuous menu of once-in-a-lifetime auction items, including globe-trotting trips, luxury hotel suites and consultations with unique experts, such as wedding guru and event planner Mindy Weiss.
The Carousel of Hope has featured once-in-a-lifetime performances by Elton John, Sting, Stevie Wonder, Paul McCartney, Neil Diamond, Barry Manilow, Ricky Martin, Beyoncé, Rod Stewart, Frank Sinatra, Celine Dion, Bette Midler, Josh Groban, Jennifer Hudson and B.B. King.
Since its founding 37 years ago by Marvin and Barbara Davis, in honor of their daughter Dana Davis (Founder of Dana Davis footwear), who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 7, The Carousel of Hope has raised over $80 million on behalf of the Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes in Denver, Colo. Over 6,000 children and adults with type 1 diabetes from around the globe visit there annually for specialized care. The Center also cares for children with type 2 diabetes. Both forms of the disease are increasing at an epidemic rate.
Press:
Jerry Digney, DIGNEY Mario & Co., 323.993.3000
Andy Gelb, SLATE PR, 323.556.0444
