The location may have been Beverly Hills, the International Ballroom of the Beverly Hilton, to be exact – but for a while there, at the high point of a gala fundraiser, it felt exactly like Rio de Janeiro.
Legendary Brazilian musician and Grammy Award winner Sergio Mendes lent his talents in support of the Venice Family Clinic’s Silver Circle, the health care clinic’s annual event that raises funds to support its providing free, quality healthcare to people in need. The event also recognizes the organizations and the medical professionals who go above and beyond with their time to help those who often have nowhere else to turn.
The evening’s honorees were Ed Goren, the vice chairman of Fox Sports Media Group, who was lauded with the organization’s humanitarian award– and a live mock NFL Sunday show on Fox extolling his talents.
Christine and Chester Griffiths, MD, a reconstructive surgeon who has volunteered at the clinic for 21 years and has been a member of its board since 2004, were given the Irma Colen leadership award.
Christine Griffiths is also a volunteer and several years ago created the “Sack Lunch Series,” which features inspirational women making a difference in the world and has garnered more than the $50,000 in pledges for the clinic while also increasing its community outreach.
Veteran broadcaster Pat O’Brien hosted the evening’s gala, which concluded with a rollicking set by Mendes and Friends, his eight-member band. Dozens of couples were already out on the dance floor grooving to his classic hits like “Fool on the Hill” when ten beautifully costumed dancers suddenly appeared amongst the ballroom’s tables and inspired even more booty-shaking.
Organizers were pleased to announce that the event raised $1 million for the Venice Family Clinic, which has nine locations throughout the West Side of Los Angeles and provides primary care to low income and uninsured people.
