Nobody does a parking lot party better than Project Angel Food, which dressed the rear of its Hollywood headquarters for the organization’s 17th annual Angel Awards. After cocktails and dinner under the stars on a warm summer’s night, the organization honored the philanthropic accomplishments of Pauley Perrette, board member and star of the CBS hit “NCIS,” and Chris Salgardo, President of Kiehl’s Since 1851, both of whom hold a special place in their hearts for the work of Project Angel Food.
Founded in 1989, it prepares and delivers more than 13,000 nutritious meals a week to those with HIV/AIDS, cancer and other life-threatening illnesses in Los Angeles County.
Proceeds from the evening will be enough to cover 70,000 meals at an average cost of $5 that will be delivered to 1,300 clients.
To emphasize that point, guests were given a beaded bracelet featuring an angel wing to wear in place of the typical wristband often used at such events. The winged bracelets were made by Project Angel Food volunteers as part of a recent fundraising effort.
They’re called“Feed Beads” because the purchase of one at $5 provides the funding for one meal. One guest later remarked that the bracelet would also serve as “a lovely memento” of a meaningful night.
As the evening progressed from the dinner prepared in Project Angel Food’s kitchen by its chefs and volunteers– another way the 400 guests could get a taste of the organization’s good works – it was time for the awards, beginning with a welcome from Project Angel Food’s Board Chair, Robin Fujimoto. CEO Margaret Steele introduced Calvin Garland, a Vietnam veteran and former client, who spoke movingly of how the daily meal service saved his life.
The Rev. Kathy Cooper-Ledesma presented Pauley Perrette with the Marianne Williamson Founder’s Award. After a video reel showcasing her philanthropic work, Perrette thanked her friends, “NCIS” cast mates and CBS for their support.
She noted that her character on the show now volunteers with Habitat for Humanity as she encouraged the audience to be role models for today’s youth by living by example. She joked that TMZ once posed the question, “We always see you coming out of charity events?” Her reply, “That’s the point.”
We can only hope that many other people will take her words to heart.
One of them who puts his money where his mouth is, Chris Salgardo, president of Kiehl’s, who was presented with the Visionary Angel Award by actor Alan Cumming.
Salgardo gave a heartfelt acceptance speech, tearfully recounting how it was the loss of a close friend to AIDS in 1996 that inspired him to do what he could to make a difference. Under his leadership, Kiehl’s has raised millions of dollars for HIV/AIDS organizations, children’s charities and environmental organizations.
Salgardo is also the founder of Kiehl’s LifeRide and Kiehl’s Desert Run, motorcycle rides akin to AIDSRide, which raise money for the American Foundation for AIDS Research. Naturally, his company also provided gift bags for guests of the event.
Among the attendees: Darren Star (creator of “Sex and the City”), Gilles Marini (“Dancing with the Stars – All Stars”), Susan Blakely (“Southland”), Annabeth Gish (“Pretty Little Liars”), Rocky Carroll (“NCIS”), Cote de Pablo (“NCIS”), Grant Reynolds (“Househusbands of Hollywood”), Tricia Helfer (“Battlestar Galactica”), Katee Sackhoff (“Longmire”), Brian Dietzen (“NCIS”), Meredith Eaton (“Boston Legal”), Kirsten Vangsness (“Criminal Minds”), Marguerite Moreau (“Shameless”), Mike Manning (“The Real World”), Kat Kramer (“Kat Kramer’s Films That Change the World), Alex Boling (“Suburgatory”), Ken Davitian (“Borat,” “You May Not Kiss the Bride”), Kenny Scharf (artist), Lisa Stanley (K-Earth Radio), Ali Vincent (“The Biggest Loser”), Chase Masterson (“Deep Space Nine”), and young actress Madison McLaughlin. One of last year’s honorees Dante Di Loreto (Producer, “Glee”) returned to the event and brought along the star of his new show, “The New Normal,” Grammy winner Andrew Rannells (“Book of Mormon) as the evening’s entertainment. Also present were Project Angel Food founder Marianne Williamson and co-founder David Kessler.
