HelpLine The Help Group...because every child deserves a great future 2 011 SPECIAL HOLIDAY EDITION JOHN NOGAWSKI, SENATOR DARRELL STEINBERG AND MICROSOFT, INC. TO BE HONORED AT THE 2011 TEDDY BEAR BALL he Help Group is pleased to announce that John Entertainment Tonight, will also serve as the emcee for the Nogawski, President, CBS Television Distribution, evening's festivities. will be the recipient of its 2011 Help Humanitarian T As President of CBS Television Distribution, Nogawski Award in recognition of his outstanding philanthropic oversees all areas including syndication sales, advertising spirit and commitment to children with special needs. sales, programming and development, marketing, That same evening, The research, legal and Help Group will present business affairs. CBS its Champion for Children Television Distribution is Award to California the pre-eminent company Senate President pro Tem in television syndication, Darrell Steinberg and its producing and distributing Corporate Philanthropy John Nogawski 12 first-run series including Award to Microsoft, Inc. such notable shows as The 15th Annual Teddy Judge Judy, Dr. Phil, Bear Ball will take place on Rachael Ray, Wheel of Monday, December 5 at Fortune, Jeopardy!, the Beverly Hilton Hotel Entertainment Tonight International Ballroom. Hon. Darrell Steinberg Microsoft, Inc. and The Insider. Celeste M. Alleyne This year's gala chairs are The Help Group will Julie Chen & Leslie Moonves along with co-chairs recognize Senator Steinberg for his long-standing and Nancy O'Dell & Keith Zubchevich, Linda Bell Blue & Steven Blue, and Lissa & Ken Solomon. O'Dell, co-host of continued on page 3 “Deck the Walls” for MICROSOFT GRANT GIVES KIDS TOOLS FOR THE FUTURE The Help Group children tudents with autism and other special The software will also help students gain the at your local needs can benefit greatly from learning necessary skills and technical knowledge so S through technology. The Help Group is critical in vocational and higher-education Coffee Bean most grateful to have been named the settings. The Help Group will be also able to recipient of a generous product grant from utilize Microsoft’s latest products to substantially & Tea Leaf® Microsoft, Inc. of $500,000, which will fund increase the security, availability, scalability, this holiday season! Tools for the Future: The Help Group efficiency, and manageability of the network Technology Project. infrastructure. This software will enable students and staff to more effectively communicate, This grant will enable The Help Group to collaborate, and share information. significantly expand its technology tools and resources for its students. Through new “Microsoft gives special meaning to corporate features and enhanced performance, the philanthropic excellence – we are most software will enable students to better use appreciative of their magnanimous and technology for learning, achievement, and impactful gift” commented Dr. Barbara meeting academic standards. Firestone. continued on page 6 see story on page 3 BOARD OF DIRECTORS CIRCLE OF FRIENDS Gary H. Carmona Bruce Berman Chairman of the Board Hon. Howard & Janice Berman Dr. Barbara Firestone Carole Black President & CEO Amy Brenneman & Brad Silberling Susan Berk Bruce C. Corwin Director Ann & Dick Costello Robert Dorman Susanne & Greg Daniels Director Suzanne & Robert Davidow Dr. David Firestone Hon. Gray & Sharon Davis Director Jane & Michael Eisner Perry Katz Mel Elias Director Elizabeth & Lee Gabler Dr. Martin Lasky Ann & Jim Gianopulos Director Dr. Nancy & Jonathan Glaser Jerrold Monkarsh Barbara & Brian Goldner Vice Chairman Brian Grazer Joy Monkarsh Art by a Student of The Help Group Hon. Wendy Greuel Secretary & Dean Schramm Barry N. Nagoshiner, CPA Sandy Grushow Vice Chair & CFO Noreen & Doug Herzog Ken Solomon Amy & Andy Heyward Director The Help Group Quincy Jones Judd Swarzman Ronnie & Michael Kassan Director wishes you a very Kathleen & Jason Katims Howard Tenenbaum Susan & Brian Kennedy Executive Vice Chairman Happy Holiday Season Carol & Arnie Kleiner Richard M. Zelle Stephanie & Stuart Liner Director Michael Marino and Marlee Matlin CIRCLE OF FRIENDS BOARD Max Mayer Dick Costello Wonderful New Year Jamie & Chris McGurk Steven Davis Ron Meyer Mel Elias filled with Wendy & Barry M. Meyer Jonathan Glaser Lori & Michael Milken Doug Herzog Lowell Milken Peace and Love! Sandra Milken Margaret Loesch Steve Mosko Chris McGurk Dawn Ostroff Jamie McGurk Gary H. Carmona ~ Dr. Barbara Firestone Hon. Richard J. Riordan Jerrold Monkarsh Nadine & Fredric D. Rosen Joy Monkarsh Ande & Bruce Rosenblum Frederic D. Rosen Cheryl & Haim Saban Nadine Rosen Sonia & David Salzman Bruce Rosenblum Ellen & Richard Sandler David Salzman Debbie & Sunny Sassoon Sunny Sassoon Stacy & Jesse Sharf Ken Solomon Hon. Brad & Lisa Sherman Anne Sweeney Stacey Snider Howard Tenenbaum Lissa & Ken Solomon Anne Sweeney & Philip H. Miller EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATION CONTENTS Nancy Tellem Dr. Barbara Firestone Steve Tisch 2011 Teddy Bear Ball Honorees .................................................................... Cover President & CEO Kathy & Charles P. Toppino Dr. Susan Berman "Deck the Walls" at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® ...................................... Cover Mary & Bill Urquhart Chief Operating Officer Microsoft Grant Gives Kids Tools for the Future ........................................... Cover Claire & D. Michael Tom Komp “Kids Like Me” Holiday Camps Spread Special Cheer ....................................Pg 4 Van Konynenburg Senior Vice President Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa Silverlining - "It’s Better to Give Than to Receive!" .........................................Pg 4 Michael Love Jerry Weintraub Hasbro Donates Gifts for Holiday Carnival ......................................................Pg 5 Senior Vice President Hon. Jack Weiss & Leslie Kautz John Farrimond club l.a. & club l.a. TEEN - 'Tis the Season to Make New Friends ...................Pg 6 Hon. Zev & Barbara Yaroslavsky Vice President Barbara & Stanley Zax HelpLine 3 TEDDY BEAR BALL - continued from cover trailblazing leadership on behalf of “The stars will be shining brightly on children with special needs and their GALA CHAIRS December 5 as we salute the humanitarian families. His landmark autism insurance spirit of John Nogawski, Senator Darrell coverage bill was recently signed into law Steinberg and Microsoft. Their heartfelt by Governor Jerry Brown. commitment to children helps to create brighter futures for so many,” said Dr. Microsoft, Inc., through its corporate Barbara Firestone, President and CEO of Citizenship and Public Affairs strategic The Help Group. software grant process, has provided a 500,000 dollar product donation to Each year, the Teddy Bear Ball is attended support The Help Group's Tools for the by hundreds of prominent entertainment Future Technology Project. Its generous and community leaders and features support has enabled The Help Group to special performances by children of The Julie Chen Leslie Moonves expand its technology tools and resources Help Group and their celebrity friends. for its students. Celeste M. Alleyne, West Region Citizenship and Public Affairs Director, will be accepting the award For reservations and information please contact Julie Hirschberg at on behalf of Microsoft. 818.779.5212 or visit our website at www.thehelpgroup.org. GALA CO-CHAIRS Nancy O’Dell Keith Zubchevich Linda Bell Blue Steven Blue Lissa Solomon Ken Solomon THE COFFEE BEAN & TEA LEAF TO “DECK THE WALLS” FOR CHILDREN OF THE HELP GROUP our next cup of coffee or tea could warm Elias, President & Chief Executive Officer of CBTL and the heart in more ways than one. Thanks Help Group Circle of Friends Board Member. “We Y to the generosity of The Coffee Bean & thank our The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® team and our Tea Leaf® (CBTL), the “Deck the Walls” customers for their commitment to this special campaign, now in its 10th year, will support The program each year.” Help Group’s efforts on behalf of children with autism and other special needs. Customers can On November 8, CBTL held special open houses participate by purchasing one or more holiday where customers had the opportunity to purchase stickers for $1 each and “Deck the Walls” at specialty holiday drinks for $1 each, with all sales their local CBTL. 100 percent of the funds donated to The Help Group. The “Deck the Walls” from customers’ sticker purchases will be campaign begins November 24 and continues through donated to The Help Group. Additionally, January 1 at CBTL’s 174 retail locations in California The Help Group will receive $1 from each and the Western United States. sale of the Winter Dream Tea® and the “Each year, CBTL lights up the season with its Holiday Blend Whole Bean Coffee. wonderful ‘Deck the Walls’ campaign –that radiates “In the spirit of giving, we are pleased to the true spirit of the holidays and raises significant once again host the ‘Deck the Walls’ funds to benefit the children. As always, we are holiday campaign in support of the immensely proud and grateful to be part of the CBTL children of The Help Group,” said Mel family,” said Dr. Barbara Firestone. 4 HelpLine . age. ex re eng perien plo “KIDS LIKE ME”ce. eHOLIDAYx CAMPS SPREAD SPECIAL CHEER! December Jake, an eight-year-old boy with 23rd 19th thru autism spectrum disorder who attends a local public school, had difficulty making and keeping friends and often ate lunch by Teens with himself. Due to his social skills challenges, he for Children and WINTER