Celebrities and Friends Turn Out to Support Foundation at 22nd Annual A Time for Heroes
Posted by
Taylor Moore
Washington, D.C.
June 16, 2011
Foundation supporters and celebrities gathered in sunny Santa Monica this past weekend for the 22nd annual A Time For Heroes Celebrity Picnic, sponsored by Disney.
At this year’s safari-themed event, guests joined the Foundation for fun, games, and great food – all to support the Foundation’s mission to eliminate pediatric AIDS.
Elizabeth Glaser started the event in Los Angeles in 1990, just two years after she created the Pediatric AIDS Foundation. Its purpose was to raise critical money and awareness to fight AIDS in children.
Despite the seriousness of the cause, it was meant to be a carefree day for children living with HIV, surrounded by celebrity “Heroes” and carnival style booths.
But it wasn’t just fun and games – in the 22 years since, it’s raised more than $33 million for the Foundation’s work.
Children race toy cars at the "Cars 2 Raceway" booth.
Photo Courtesy of Chris Weeks/Getty Images
I attended this year’s picnic with 1,500 other lucky guests, who had the chance to hang out with celebrity heroes like Olivia Munn from the Daily Show, Chad Michael Murray from One Tree Hill, TV host Melissa Rivers, and actress Minnie Driver.
There were also some amazing activities as I walked through the event. There was decorating and racing toy cars at the “Cars 2 Raceway” with singer Ashlee Simpson; decorating jeans with actresses Judy Greer and Denise Richards at the “surfin’ safari” 77kids by American Eagle Denim Decorating Station; packaging special “Kits for Kids” to send to children in Africa with actors Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Breckin Meyer at the Disney Friends for Change booth; and having fun with High School Musical star Ashley Tisdale at kids’ social network imbee’s booth to watch online programs, play games, and listen to music.
In addition to art, games, and activities, guests munched on tacos, pasta, barbeque, cupcakes, and other delicious treats from some of Los Angeles’s hottest eateries, including Covell, Olive & Thyme, Along Came Mary, Toscana, and Drago.
For me, the best part of the day came when HIV-positive
Foundation Ambassador Fortunata Kasege took the stage to share her amazing story of hope with guests.
Originally from Tanzania, Fortunata successfully gave birth to an HIV-negative daughter in the U.S., where there were services to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV. When her daughter Florida joined her on the stage, attendees broke into applause (and tears).
Fortunata Kasege speaks to guests at the 2011 A Time for
Heroes Celebrity Picnic.
Photo Courtesy of Michael Buckner/Getty Images
Fortunata reminded us of the success we’ve been able to have after
30 years of fighting AIDS – now an HIV-positive mother can have an HIV-negative baby. But she also reminded us that not enough women have access to the medicines they need to protect their children, particularly in countries like Tanzania, where the AIDS epidemic is at its worst.
While we’re getting closer and closer to reaching all women and children in need, we’ll need more resources from generous donors, governments, and other funders to finally end pediatric AIDS.
This year’s A Time for Heroes was part of that effort, raising more than $1.1 million to support the Foundation’s lifesaving work around the world.
I’m so glad I could be a part of it.
Read more about A Time for Heroes
here.