The Help Group's Teddy Bear Ball Salutes Sony Pictures President, Steve Mosko and Features Performance by Kenny Loggins

The Help Group's Teddy Bear Ball Salutes Sony Pictures President, Steve Mosko and Features Performance by Kenny Loggins

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- At its 12th annual holiday gala The Teddy Bear Ball, The Help Group presented its Help Humanitarian Award to Steve Mosko, President of Sony Pictures Television in recognition of his vibrant humanitarian spirit and commitment to children with special needs. Grammy(R) winning singer-songwriter Kenny Loggins electrified the audience with his performance of Conviction of the Heart. Long standing friend and colleague of nearly 30 years, Arnie Kleiner, President and General Manager of ABC7 in Los Angeles was on hand to introduce and celebrate Mosko's outstanding achievement. The Teddy Bear Ball took place December 8th at the Beverly Hilton's International Ballroom and benefited The Help Group's efforts on behalf of children with special needs.

Gary H. Carmona, Help Group Chairman, kicked off the event by congratulating this year's honoree, saying, "Steve exemplifies what it means to live and to act with compassion for others." Dr. Barbara Firestone, Help Group President & CEO expressed The Help Group's appreciation to all who were involved in helping to make The Teddy Bear Ball such a tremendous success. "In these challenging times, it's great to be able to focus on what is right with the world. An evening like this gives us pause to celebrate the humanitarian spirit that is so alive and palpable this evening. Like our family of honorees, Steve possesses a deep sense of humanity. The Help Group is immensely grateful that Steve has made room on his broad shoulders for our children," she said.

This event was graciously co-chaired by Michael Lynton, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment and Amy Pascal, Co-chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment. The more than 600 guests included Bruce Rosenblum, Brad Garrett, Norman Lear, Michael Lambert, Jeff Blake, John Weiser, Zack Van Amburg, Jamie Erlicht, Ken Solomon, Howard Tenenbaum, Chris & Jamie McGurk, Andy & Amy Heyward, Mark E Pollack, Kevin Beggs, Fred & Nadine Rosen, Mel Elias, Dick & Ann Costello, Governor Gray Davis, State Controller John Chiang, and Councilmember Wendy Greuel. The great roster of major sponsors included, Sony Pictures Entertainment, The Dana & Albert Broccoli Charitable Foundation, Keyes Automotive Group, Act III Communications, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, and the Milken Family Foundation.

Ringing in the holiday season were spirited performances by The Help Group's Children's Choir with special friend, former Temptations member Louis Price, singing a rousing medley of holiday tunes, and a lively, successful auction led by Andrea Fiuczynski, President of Christie's. At the grand finale of this unforgettable evening of friendship and philanthropy, the children sang Winter Wonderland to a cheering audience.

ABOUT THE HELP GROUP

Founded in 1975, The Help Group is the largest and most comprehensive nonprofit of its kind in the United States, serving children with a wide range of special needs related to autism, learning disabilities, abuse and emotional challenges. The Help Group's seven specialized day schools offer pre-K through high school programs for more than 1,300 students, and its wide range of mental health and therapy services, child abuse and residential programs extend its reach to more than 5,000 children and their families each year. With over 800 staff members, The Help Group's state-of-the-art schools and programs are located on four major campuses in the Los Angeles area. Through outreach, parent and professional education efforts, The Help Group extends its reach to countless others nationally and internationally. www.thehelpgroup.org

Source: The Help Group

CONTACT: John Farrimond, The Help Group, jfarrimond@thehelpgroup.org,
+1-818-779-5212

Web site: http://www.thehelpgroup.org/

NOTE TO EDITORS: Photos Available Upon Request

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