HOLLYWOOD, CA – Wednesday night, April 20th, celebrities, philanthropists, and supporters alike gathered for the 5th Annual Norma Jean Gala for a glamorous evening to raise money for Hollygrove Los Angeles at the Taglyan Complex in Hollywood.
The Norma Jean Gala is named in tribute to Hollygrove’s most famous former resident, Marilyn Monroe. Today, Hollygrove is recognized in Hollywood for its contribution to Marilyn Monroe’s life and they continue to celebrate her legacy on the belief that every child is a rising star.
Celebrity attendees of the event included Colin Hanks (Life in Pieces), Busy Philipps (Cougar Town), Tom Arnold (True Lies), Ian Ziering (Beverly Hills, 90210), Scheana Marie (Vanderpump Rules), Stassi Schroeder (Vanderpump Rules), Peter Weller (Robocop), Janie Bryant (Costume Designer), Jimmy Jean-Louis (Joy), Samantha Mumba (Musician), Julie McNiven (Mad Men), Kristina Klebe (Actress), Nick Jandl (Nashville), Ali Hillis (Mass Effect Trilogy), and Natasha Halevi (B.C. Butcher).
The evening commenced with a cocktail reception featuring children’s art from the Endless Summer program to showcase how Every Child Is A Rising Star at Hollygrove.
In the main hall, the silent auction began featuring over 200 incredible items for guests to bid on to help raise proceeds for Hollygrove, whose parent company is EMQ FamiliesFirst.
Throughout the dinner program guests enjoyed a delicious meal as they listened to thought-provoking and touching speeches from impassioned supporters of the nonprofit organization. Samantha & Colin Hanks and Dr. Peter & Sheri Weller were honored with the Ambassador of the Year Awards, while Associate Director of Hollygrove, Mary Brougher, received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
In addition to the silent auction, a live auction and ‘Fund a Cause’ took place, raising even more funds to benefit Hollygrove. The Gala has raised $270,000 and counting!
About Hollygrove & EMQ FamiliesFirst
Hollygrove is the Los Angeles division of EMQ FamiliesFirst, one of California’s largest, most comprehensive mental and behavioral health providers, serving children and families in over 30 countries. Statewide, the agency serves more than 20,000 children and their family members each year.
EMQ FamiliesFirst’s programs are proven to be more effective than the national average in helping children and adolescents overcome complex behavioral health problems and recover from trauma. For youth that exit our programs, over 90% are living in the community, staying in school, and remaining out of trouble.
