LOS ANGELES, April 19 — On Monday, April 16th, the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region hosted the 5th Annual Celebrity Golf Classic held at the esteemed Lakeside Golf Club in Burbank. Hollywood stars such as Kelsey Grammer, Mark Paul Gosselaar, Robert Herjavec and Michael Chiklis, along with sports greats Sugar Ray Leonard, Pete Sampras, Reggie Bush, Byron Scott, Derek Fisher and Nick Swisher generously donated their time to support the American Red Cross and help raise awareness and donations for disaster relief in the Los Angeles area.
Celebrities and guests took to the tees to help raise much needed disaster relief funds that will go towards providing necessary resources that will assist in providing needed relief during times of disaster as well as in helping better prepare LA local communities.
“Disaster relief doesn’t last for a day or two; it could last months, even a year,” said Jarrett Barrios, CEO American Red Cross Los Angeles Region. "With all the natural disasters we’ve been faced with the last few months, many are still struggling to repair or rebuild their homes; some are still waiting for power. That’s why events like this Golf Classic are so very important. They bring awareness to the needs the American Red Cross is working to respond to and help provide much needed resources so that we can be at the site of disasters with a moments notice, and continue to assist after the dust has settled.”
Nationally acclaimed sports journalist, Rich Eisen, helped to emcee festivities following the rounds of golf where guests enjoyed dinner and participated in a live auction and an awards ceremony at the clubhouse. Sponsors for the event included Kathleen & Larry Paul, Pittsburgh Steelers, Bank of America – Merrill Lynch, NFL Network, The Carson Foundation, Dynacast Corporation, Lili and Jon Bosse Family Foundation, Robert Margolis Foundation, and Venbrook.
“Last year we got up close and personal to what seemed like an endless series of natural disasters,” said Eisen. “People and families – in every socio-economic and demographic category -- were dramatically affected. Many taken from their homes. And the Red Cross was there, always ready, working side by side with the first responders. We can all sleep better at night knowing the Red Cross is here in our community, every day of the week, every hour of the day.”
To learn more about the American Red Cross and all the services provided, visit redcrossla.org.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission.