Acts of Love: Pioneers Benefit Celebrates Autism Community Leaders with Evening of Readings and Song
Click here for a photo gallery from the event
Click here for a photo gallery from the event
The Autism Speaks Los Angeles Chapter's seventh annual “Acts of Love” show took place on October 3 in Santa Monica, Calif., and raised over $95,000. The incredible event took place at The Eli and Edythe Broad Stage and started with a VIP Reception and Red Carpet arrivals. Inside the theater, over 400 guests enjoyed a literary and musical celebration of pioneers, along with an awards ceremony which honored one organization and three individuals that exemplify the mission of Autism Speaks.
Actress Carla Gugino performs at Acts of Love
Actress Carla Gugino presented the Family Services Award to Dr. Harvey and Connie Lapin of Jay Nolan Community Services, which for 34 years has provided employment, housing and recreational services to support individuals based on person-specific needs and aspirations, so that individuals can have valued roles in their chosen communities.
Writer/producer Shawn Ryan received the Awareness Award from Emmy-winning actor Michael Chiklis, star of “The Shield,” an FX series which ran from 2002-2008 that allowed millions each week to see how autism affected the family of a police detective. Through the show, viewers who previously may have had no experience or interaction with autism were offered a window into a very different world.
Actor Adam Arkin presented the Advocacy Award to Soryl Markowitz, LCSW, a local autism and behavior specialist who has worked with individuals on the autism spectrum and their families since the early 1970's and who has shown that she understands their needs and is there to support them.
The Award for Science and Research was presented to Dr. Robert Koegel and Dr. Lynn Kern Koegel by actress CCH Pounder. The Koegels are the developers of Pivotal Response Treatment, which focuses on motivation, and served on the committee to develop the Autism Speaks “100 Day Kit.” The Koegels oversee the Koegel Autism Center at the University of California, Santa Barbara, which was renamed in recognition of their work on behalf of children with autism, and which recently launched a Center for Asperger's Research.
Writer/producer Shawn Ryan received the Awareness Award from Emmy-winning actor Michael Chiklis, star of “The Shield,” an FX series which ran from 2002-2008 that allowed millions each week to see how autism affected the family of a police detective. Through the show, viewers who previously may have had no experience or interaction with autism were offered a window into a very different world.
Actor Adam Arkin presented the Advocacy Award to Soryl Markowitz, LCSW, a local autism and behavior specialist who has worked with individuals on the autism spectrum and their families since the early 1970's and who has shown that she understands their needs and is there to support them.
The Award for Science and Research was presented to Dr. Robert Koegel and Dr. Lynn Kern Koegel by actress CCH Pounder. The Koegels are the developers of Pivotal Response Treatment, which focuses on motivation, and served on the committee to develop the Autism Speaks “100 Day Kit.” The Koegels oversee the Koegel Autism Center at the University of California, Santa Barbara, which was renamed in recognition of their work on behalf of children with autism, and which recently launched a Center for Asperger's Research.
The four presenters were joined on stage by Austin Butler, Michaela Conlin, Keith David, John Heard, Jon Huertas, Dorian Missick, Zachary Quinto, Amanda Seyfried and Amber Tamblyn, who performed inspired selections about famous pioneers, including luminaries like Golda Meir, Sojourner Truth, Albert Einstein, Marie Curie, Jackie Robinson, Neil Armstrong and autism researcher Bernard Rimland.
Uplifting musical numbers from vocalist Niki Haris with Tim McAfee-Lewis & New Thought, The Agape House Band, and children from The Miracle project were woven throughout the evening.
Uplifting musical numbers from vocalist Niki Haris with Tim McAfee-Lewis & New Thought, The Agape House Band, and children from The Miracle project were woven throughout the evening.
Niki Haris performs
We would like to thank the actors, generous sponsors, in-kind donors, a dedicated committee, super volunteers, attendees and everyone who helped to raise funds and awareness during a truly memorable night for the autism community.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
