HOLLYWOOD SCENE
16th Carousel of Hope Another Successful
Star-Studded Fund-Raising Event
Photos and Story by Oliver Carnay

Halle Berry received the "Brass Ring Award" presented by Oprah Winfrey	Brendan Fraser with wife Afton	Muhammad Ali

Incredible performances by Beyonce, Josh Groban and Faith Hill were among the highlights of the 16th Carousel of Hope Gala, founded by Barbara and Marvin Davis, and emceed once again by comedian Jay Leno.

The world’s premiere charity gala was attended by Hollywood’s who’s who, including Oprah Winfrey who presented the coveted “Brass Ring Award” to Academy Award-winning actress Halle Berry. A taped tribute to the late Marvin Davis was also featured.

The unforgettable star-studded evening presented by Mercedes Benz held at the Beverly Hilton last October 23 included an auction with extraordinary items up for bidding, among them an all-new 2205 Mercedes-Benz SLK350.

Mrs. Barbara Davis co-hosted Hollywood’s premiere charity gala, which assists nearly 5,000 kids a year from all over the world since its founding twenty-seven years ago. The Carousel of Hope, the world’s premiere charity event benefiting childhood diabetes, had raised over $65 million for children’s diabetes research and care. “This is my child and my life,” said Mrs. Davis, who came up with the ball idea after her daughter, Dana, was diagnosed with children’s diabetes.

The event’s musical director was David Foster, while Oscar® winning actors Sidney Poitier and Michael Caine also participated in the presentation. George Clooney and 50 other celebrities, including Jack Nicholson, Reese Whitherspoon, Brendan Fraser, Anjelica Huston, Samuel L. Jackson, Ben Affleck, Queer Eye’s Ted Allen, Dr. Phil, Lucy Lium, Ray Romano, Naomi Watts and Alicia Keys, put on their artists’ smocks for the auction by designing plates.

Two incredible goodie bags were given to the 1,500 guests who attended the fund-raising event. Each Celebrity VIPs received a T-mobile sidekick, a Meyers USA watch, a year’s supply of chocolate covered designer berries, a Dyson vacuum and a Tempur-pedic mattress, among 30 luxury items. Others in the gift bag are a complete Reebok jogging outfit, as well as a pair of trendy new sneaks, a disposable camera, a professional hair dryer, an Equinox fitness pass, an Evian Atomizer, MAC Cosmetic, a “Barbie” doll, a Christopher Radko Christmas ornament and gobs of free Cds and DVDs, among other items that filled two large bags, valued at more than $20,000.00.

Among the many prominent people who attended were Muhammad Ali, Tom Arnold, Lara Flynn Boyle, Warren Beatty & Annette Bening, James Caan, Natalie Cole, Joan Collins, Amanda Bynes, Tony Danza, Haylie Duff, Vivica A. Fox, Angelica Huston, Dennis Hopper, Kristin Davis, Neil Diamond, Rod Stewart, Carmen Electra, Brendan Fraser, Kenny G, Rob Lowe, Dennis Miller, Brittany Murphy, Maureen McGovern, Nicolette Sheridan, Stevie Wonder, and many more.

Proceeds from the gala benefited health care and research at the Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes where over 5,000 children and youth adults receive specialized care. The Children’s Diabetes Foundation supports the programs at the BCD. A portion of proceeds was also given to the Los Angeles chapters of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International and American Diabetes Association. For more information, go to www.barbaradaviscenter.org. More pictures taken by this writer can be browsed at www.picturetrail.com/olivercarnayphotos.

TOP