Foundation Supporters “Join the Moment” at 20th Annual A Time For Heroes Celebrity Picnic

6/10/2009

Elizabeth Glaser once said, “Sometimes in life, there is that moment when it’s possible to make a change for the better. This is one of those moments.”

A happy picnic attendee shows off his Mickey Mouse face paint.

Two decades ago, Elizabeth and her two close friends discovered one of those moments when they organized a picnic called “A Time For Heroes” to raise funds for the fledgling Pediatric AIDS Foundation. That picnic raised almost a million dollars and laid the groundwork for what is now a global organization dedicated to eradicating pediatric AIDS.

This past Sunday in Los Angeles, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation celebrated the anniversary of this historic fund raiser at the 20th annual A Time For Heroes Celebrity Picnic. Sponsored by Disney, the picnic raised $1.3 million while also raising awareness of our commitment to create a generation free of HIV.

The afternoon was filled with reminders of Elizabeth, who believed that while the fight against pediatric AIDS is serious, we should never forget to have fun. Inside the picnic’s entrance were photos of Elizabeth, her daughter Ariel, her son Jake, and the organization’s cofounders — Susie Zeegen and Susan DeLaurentis. Not far away was a display of 1,000 pinwheels, representing the 1,000 children worldwide who are infected with HIV every day.

Rows and rows of pinwheels (foreground) represent 1,000 children infected with HIV every day.

The fun began just a few steps away. Under a grove of enormous banyan trees, children watched toys take on a life of their own at the Disney*Pixar Toy Story Experience. Celebrities read aloud at the “UP”lifting Storytelling Adventure, which was modeled after the house from the feature film Up. Kids visited A Disney Channel Backstage to get the full star treatment for their big screen moment.

Henry Winkler reads a story at the “UP”lifting Storytelling Adventure.

Lisa Rinna enjoys the slide with her family.

Nigel Barker helps a child assemble a mom and baby kit.

Picnic guests got the chance to participate first-hand in the Foundation’s lifesaving work at the “Join the Moment! Generation Free Kit-Making” tent, which was filled with baby clothes, blankets, and vital medical supplies for pregnant women and their newborns. Visitors assembled “mom and baby kits” with these supplies, which will be shipped to Uganda and distributed to women and babies in need. (UPDATE: Read about the kits' distribution.) The tent also included information on the Foundation’s prevention of mother-to-child transmission services, which help HIV-positive mothers to give birth to HIV-negative children.

And those activities were only the beginning. Clean-freaks made their own soap, courtesy of Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day. Fashionistas designed shirts at the Michael Stars Tee Shirt Customization Station, and added some sparkle to their jeans at Denim Decorating with 77Kids by american eagle. Shoe-lovers made their own ruby slippers at the Wizard of Oz tent, and athletes took their best shot on goal at the L.A. Kings Slapshot Hockey game. Media hounds could get their own picture on the cover of PEOPLE at the PEOPLE Magazine Photo Booth.

Ashlee Simpson-Wentz and Pete Wentz customize T-shirts with their son Bronx.

Lauren Conrad (left) and Lauren "Lo" Bosworth make ruby slippers.

Heidi Klum

Just like the first picnic 20 years ago, this year’s event was a star-studded affair. Celebrity guests included Heidi Klum, Mark Wahlberg, Denise Richards, Ashlee Simpson-Wentz, Pete Wentz, Nigel Barker, Selena Gomez, Nick Lachey, Vanessa Minnillo, Lauren Conrad, Jaime Pressly, and dozens of others, as well as athletes Dwyane Wade, Michael Strahan, and Tony Hawk. Long-term celebrity supporters who have been attending the picnic since the early days — including Sharon Stone, Joe Pesci, Billy Crystal, and Henry Winkler — also attended.

Vanessa Minnillo and Nick Lachey pose with the L.A. Kings mascot at the Wizard of Oz tent.

Denise Richards and her children decorate jeans at 77Kids by american eagle.

“It’s such a joyous event,” said Crystal, who was a friend of Elizabeth. “Elizabeth and Ariel would be so proud…their presence is so fully felt every time you see a kid smile.”

Billy Crystal shoots a giant basketball at Swisheroo.

Longtime picnic attendees Sharon Stone and Joe Pesci share a happy reunion.

Anticipation built throughout the afternoon. After three hours of games, activities, and delicious food, Susie Zeegen stepped onstage and thanked everyone for coming. She then introduced Jake Glaser, Elizabeth’s son, who is now a healthy 24-year-old.

“Twenty years ago, my mom made a decision to no longer take ‘No’ for an answer,” Jake said. “She embarked on a mission to help one child, and in turn, helped millions.”

Then came the moment everyone was waiting for, as Jake welcomed the picnic’s headline performer: Miley Cyrus. Miley took the stage and launched into an energetic set that had both kids and adults singing along — including hit songs “7 Things” and “See You Again.” The crowd roared its approval and chanted for more. Miley finished with a rousing rendition of “The Climb,” and the 20th A Time For Heroes drew to a close.

Miley Cyrus performs for her adoring fans.

As the crowd filed out, the photos of Elizabeth and her family served as reminders of how far we’ve come in the past 20 years. But the 1,000 pinwheels reminded us that while a generation free of HIV is within our grasp, this fight isn’t over yet.

“We must keep fighting until we create an entire generation where no child is born with HIV,” said Jake. “My mother and sister passed the responsibility along to us, and we accepted.”

It’s time to join the moment. Help us create a generation free of HIV.


Special thanks to all of our sponsors and supporters:
Underwriter


Honorary Co-Chairs
Willow Bay and Bob Iger
Cookie and Earvin “Magic” Johnson

Angels
Jewelers for Children
United Airlines
Laurie and Peter Waldstein, M.D.

Patrons
John W. Carson Foundation
Fox Entertainment Group
Edward D. and Anna Mitchell Family Foundation
Ann and Jerry Moss
The Wasserman Foundation
Noelle and Dick Wolf

20 for 20 Committee
The Bell Family
Maryly and Peter Benzian
Jeff, Carol and Becky Burch
Vizhier and Andrew Mooney Family Fund
Michael Stars
Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day
NBA/WNBA
PEOPLE Magazine
Universal Studios

Sponsors
The Beyer Family
James and Debbie Burrows
Mollie, Hayden, Jordan, and Jackson Dunn
Marianna and David Fisher
The Steve Tisch Foundation
Warner Bros. Consumer Products
The Zilber Family Foundation

Friends
77kids by american eagle
Debbie and Mark Attanasio
The Auen Foundation
Creative Artists Agency
The Coca-Cola Company
Paul Goldenberg
Judd, Randi, Stephen and Barry Malkin Families
KPMG LLP
William Morris Agency

Restaurant Heroes
AKASHA
Along Came Mary
An Catering by Crustacean
BEACON: An Asian Café
The Bigg Chill
BLT Steak
Chipotle Mexican Grill
Clementine
Drago Ristorante
FoodShouldTasteGood ®
Greenleaf Chopshop
Il Fornaio – Santa Monica
Melissa’s Produce
Miss Priss Cupcakes & Such
New Zealand Natural
The Patina Group
Pink’s Hot Dogs
Roy’s