2009 UNICEF Ball Honors Producer Jerry Weintraub

2009 UNICEF Ball Honors Producer Jerry Weintraub

Fundraising Gala, Presented by Bacarrat, Takes Place in Beverly Hills on Dec 10

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Dec. 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On December 10, the UNICEF Ball brought together Hollywood's biggest stars for a fundraising gala to honor those individuals who have made key contributions to UNICEF's mission to save and improve children's lives worldwide. The evening raised more money for the organization than any UNICEF Ball to date. Producer and long-time philanthropist Jerry Weintraub was honored as Man of the Year with UNICEF's Danny Kaye Humanitarian Award. The special black-tie evening took place at the Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel, in Beverly Hills, CA.

"We are honored to present Jerry as an exceptional individual who has demonstrated visionary and transformative leadership on behalf of children worldwide with the Danny Kaye Humanitarian Award," said Caryl Stern, President and CEO of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. "His philanthropic commitment to UNICEF's mission to reach a day when zero children die from preventable causes, is truly inspirational."

The UNICEF Ball was co-chaired by Bryan Lourd, Ghada Irani and Tamar & Bob Manoukian. The evening included performances by Paul Anka, Tony Bennett, Jane Morgan-Weintraub and Franki Valli & The Four Seasons. Paul Anka added his own special touch to the night by changing the lyrics to his popular song "My Way" to reflect the guest of honor. George Clooney, Bruce Willis and Bryan Lourd were among those who spoke about Jerry Weintraub as a friend and colleague. Guests were also treated to special surprise appearance by Mr. Weintraub's long-time friend Muhammad Ali.

During dinner, George Clooney presented the Danny Kaye Humanitarian Award to Jerry Weintraub, Special Advisor to UNICEF USA. Weintraub's more than 40 year career in entertainment has spanned all genres of music, film, Broadway Theatre, concerts and television. A celebrated producer and entertainment mogul, Weintraub has produced numerous blockbuster hits such as the Ocean's 11 series and he has founded several successful production companies including Jerry Weintraub Productions. Committed to helping others in need, Weintraub's philanthropic endeavors are just as great as his professional career. Most recently, Not on Our Watch, co-founded by Weintraub, has supported UNICEF's at-risk Zimbabwean refugee children living on the South Africa-Zimbabwe border.

"Every day 24,000 children die from preventable causes. I believe that number should be zero," said Jerry Weintraub, Producer and Recipient of UNICEF's Danny Kaye Humanitarian Award. "UNICEF has saved more children's lives than any other humanitarian organization in the world and I am committed to supporting their efforts to provide children worldwide the essentials for a safe and healthy childhood."

In spirit of the evening, Jerry Weintraub, Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Matt Damon and Don Cheadle donated $250,000 on behalf of Not on Our Watch in support of UNICEF's mission to reduce the number of preventable deaths of children from 24,000 to zero.

Guests of the UNICEF Ball included Ellen Barkin, George Clooney, Cindy Crawford & Rande Gerber, Luciana & Matt Damon, Larry David, Selena Gomez, Elliot Gould, Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie & Brad Pitt, Anthony Kiedes, Benji Madden, Joel Madden, Rebecca Mader, Alyssa Milano, Jeremy Piven, Sumner Redstone, Bruce Willis and more.

Dinner hosts included Shelli and Irving Azoff, Peggy and Jeff Bewkes, George Clooney, Carole Bayer Sager and Bob Daly, Luciana and Matt Damon, Brynne and Dan Fellman, David Geffen, Harvey S. Gettleson, Brad Grey, Cindy and Alan Horn, Lucy Liu, Michael Meldman, Wendy and Barry Meyer, Kelly and Ron Meyer, Lori and Michael Milken, Julie and Leslie Moonves, Robin and Gerald Parsky, Brad Pitt, Nicole and Jeff Robinov, Ande and Bruce Rosenblum, Steve Roth, Ellen and Richard Sandler, Jane and Terry Semel, Steven Spielberg, Emma and Bruce Willis, Ellen and Ken Ziffren and Jane Morgan Weintraub.

Thanks to UNICEF's generous partners, guests received a lovely candle votive from Baccarat and the "Snowman in Africa" book written by Michael Roberts and commissioned by Gucci as part of the 5th anniversary of the Gucci campaign to Benefit UNICEF.

The UNICEF Ball was a George Schlatter Production.

About UNICEF

UNICEF has saved more children's lives than any other humanitarian organization in the world. Working in over 150 countries, UNICEF provides children with health care, clean water, nutrition, education, emergency relief, and more. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF supports UNICEF's work through fundraising, advocacy, and education in the United States.

UNICEF is at the forefront of efforts to reduce child mortality worldwide. There has been substantial progress - the annual number of under-five deaths dropped from 13 million in 1990 to 8.8 million in 2008. But still, 24,000 children die each day from preventable causes. Our mission is to do whatever it takes to make that number zero by giving children the essentials for a safe and healthy childhood. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org.

Source: U.S. Fund for UNICEF

CONTACT: Andy Gelb, +1-310-967-7247, or andy@andygelb.com, Stephanie
Samson, +1-310-967-7262, or stephanie.samson@gmail.com, both for U.S. Fund for
UNICEF

Web Site: http://www.unicefusa.org/

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