| Press
Release
| 18
September - Southern California Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society |
28th Annual 'Dinner of Champions'
The National MS Society's Southern California Chapter Raises $3,700,000 for MS Research and Programs at Its Dinner Honoring Sir Howard Stringer on September 17, 2002; Eric Small Also Honored With Dorothy Corwin Spirit of Life Award
Wednesday September 18, 1:57 pm ET
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Sir Howard Stringer, Chairman and CEO of Sony Corporation of America, was honored at the 28th annual "Dinner of Champions," sponsored by and benefiting the Southern California Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The gala event, which took place on Tuesday, September 17, 2002 at the Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles, raised $2,800,000. QVC's Cure by the Shore added nearly $1 million to this impressive figure for a record-breaking grand total of $3,700,000, which will aid in the research, programs and services that the National MS Society supports throughout the year.
Additionally, Eric Small, a certified Iyengar yoga instructor, was presented with the Dorothy Corwin Spirit of Life Award. Eric is a special inspiration to anyone who has a disabling disease like multiple sclerosis. Diagnosed with MS fifty years ago, he continues to fulfill his dream to expand his work with therapeutic yoga and bring this program to others throughout the MS community.
Chairing the Dinner for the tenth consecutive year was Tom Sherak, partner in Revolution Studios and trustee of the Southern California Chapter of the National MS Society. Co-chairing again for the seventh year were chapter trustees Arthur and Britta Schramm and Simpson Leonard. Chapter trustee Bob Harper co-chaired for the fourth year. John Calley, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment, and Amy Pascal, Chairman of Columbia Pictures, chaired the Dinner for the first time. Comedian Byron Allen served as master of ceremonies for the tenth year in a row.
Commenting on this year's honorees, Sherak said, "Both Sir Howard Stringer and Sony Corporation of America are loyal supporters of the Southern California Chapter of the National MS Society, making it possible for the Society to continue and expand its research and increase awareness about multiple sclerosis. We're privileged to be able to honor Sir Howard this year. We are also happy to be honoring Eric Small for his devotion in helping others with MS with an award named for the late Dorothy Corwin, who, with her family and son Bruce, was a dedicated and great supporter of our organization for many years."
Adam Sandler presented to Howard Stringer and Dr. Marian Garfinkel presented to her friend and colleague, Eric Small. Previous honorees have included such distinguished individuals as Bob Newhart, Steve Garvey, Richard Pryor, Annette Funicello, Steven Hilton, Keith Barish, Peter Chernin, Joe Roth, Bill Mechanic, Amy Pascal, and last year's honorees Jim Gianopulos and Jimmie Heuga, among others.
Performing at the dinner was singer/songwriter Paul Anka and 16-year-old singing sensation, Charlotte Church. Special guests attending included Penny Marshall, Tom Arnold, David Lander, David Arquette, Bill Pullman, DB Sweeny, Warren Beatty & Annette Bening, Stu Nahan, Tony Danza, Lin Shaye, Don Diamont, Paul Thomas Anderson, Mark Romanek, Jeffrey Katzenberg, Ron Meyer, Joe Roth, Amy Pascal, John Calley, Terry Curtin, Geoff Ammer, Jim Wiatt, Dean Devlin, Jim Gianopulos, Tom Rothman, Arnold Rifkin, Peter Bart, Bob Dowling and Charlie Koones.
The Dinner of Champions, always completely sold-out, makes an enormous contribution in the fight against multiple sclerosis, not only in raising funds for research, programs and services, but also in raising awareness about MS itself. With the continuing commitment of its supporters, especially within the entertainment community, the Southern California Chapter's "Dinner of Champions" has become the most successful Dinner held by any chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The generous contributions of Dinner hosts Deluxe Laboratories, Entertainment Industry Foundation, Revolution Studios, Sony Corporation of America and Twentieth Century Fox, and co-hosts The Cimarron Group, New Wave Entertainment and Peter and Bobby Farrelly make the event possible.
With funds raised through events like the "Dinner of Champions," the National MS Society is able to spend more money on research than any other voluntary health organization. A record $28 million was invested last year to support MS research including nearly $4.5 million currently in place locally at UCLA, USC, UC Riverside, Cal Tech and the VA Medical Center. Proceeds from the Dinner also support hundreds of vital programs which assist people living with MS and their families; prominent among these is the Marilyn Hilton MS Achievement Center at UCLA, the first of its kind on the west coast, made possible in large part by the success of the Dinner of Champions.
For additional information about the "Dinner of Champions," please call Pamela Thompson at 310-479-4456. For press inquiries call Liz Biber of Sony Pictures Entertainment at 310-244-5161 or Marni Greenbaum of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society at 310-479-4456. Donations can be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Southern California Chapter, 2440 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Suite 115, Los Angeles, CA 90064.
| Press
Release
|
5 September - National Multiple Sclerosis Society |
28th ANNUAL
DINNER OF CHAMPIONS
WHAT:
The Dinner of Champions is one of the most highly visible fund raising events in Los Angeles. The event honors a philanthropist each year who has made a significant contribution to the fight against multiple sclerosis, and is heavily supported by the entertainment industry. Last year's record breaking Dinner funded $2 million worth of local programs and services in Southern California and $1.2 million of national research and programs.
WHEN:
Tuesday, September 17, 2002 - 6:15 PM
WHERE:
Century Plaza Hotel
HONORING:
Sir Howard Stringer, Chairman & CEO,
Sony Corporation of America
Eric Small is the "Dorothy Corwin Spirit of Life" Award recipient.
DINNER CHAIR:
MS Society Trustee, Tom Sherak, Partner, Revolution Studios
CO-CHAIRS:
John Calley, Chairman & CEO, Sony Pictures Entertainment;
Bob Harper, National MS Society Trustee;
Simpson Leonard, National MS Society Trustee;
Amy Pascal, Chairman, Columbia Pictures;
Arthur & Britta Schramm, National MS Society Trustee;
Lester Trachman, National MS Society Chapter Chairman
ENTERTAINMENT:
To be announced
GOAL:
To raise money for direct services for thousands living with multiple sclerosis in the Southern California area; and for research into better treatments and a cure for MS.
Multiple sclerosis, a disease of the central nervous system, affects an estimated third of a million Americans. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, established in 1947, is the largest private funder of MS research and provides programs for over 1 million people in the U.S. affected by multiple sclerosis.
