Paul Mitchell's FunRaising Gala Celebrates Over $1.4 Million Raised for Charity
Paul Mitchell schools celebrated $1,474,055 raised for charity at their annual FunRaising Gala.
On March 5, Paul Mitchell students and stylists celebrated over $1.4 million raised for numerous charities at the 16th Annual FunRaising Gala at the historic Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles. Every year, students and staff from more than 100 Paul Mitchell schools across the United States raise money for charities with activities like cut-a-thons, car washes, and more.
Hosted by talk Show host Leeza Gibbons and Paul Mitchell Schools Co-Founder Winn Claybaugh, the event brings together Paul Mitchell school participants from all over the country to celebrate the spirit of giving and community. Special guests included John Paul DeJoria, Angus Mitchell, Eden Sassoon, Steven R. McQueen, Kathy Buckley, Joe Mantegna, and Seth Maxwell—who shared heartwarming stories about the amazing work that Paul Mitchell is doing to support non-profits.
America’s Got Talent finalist Brian King Joseph plays the electric violin at the Paul Mitchell FunRaising Gala.
We also had the chance to meet many individuals whose lives have been transformed by the amazing work that these charities do, including Brian King Joseph and U.S. Army Master Sgt. Cedric King. Joseph is a self-taught classical violinist who was a finalist on America’s Got Talent Season 13. Thanks to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, Joseph was able to overcome neuropathy and take charge of his own future.
U.S. Army Master Sgt. Cedric King is a Gary Sinise Foundation Ambassador, and was left with right hand disfigurement and bilateral amputation after his third deployment in Afghanistan back in 2012. King and his family recently were the recipients of a customized smart home from the foundation.
Original Supremes member Mary Wilson performs on stage.
Guests enjoyed a special performance by Mary Wilson of the legendary Supremes, who got the crowd dancing with numerous Motown classics. At the end of the night, our hosts revealed that the schools raised $1,474,055—with 100-percent of that money going to the following charities:
Andrew Gomez Dream Foundation was founded to honor a successful Paul Mitchell School graduate whose struggle against mental illness ended tragically in suicide. The foundation helps cosmetology students, graduates, and cosmetology-related enterprises. Funds have provided educational opportunities, assistance after natural disasters (through our support of the PBA Disaster Relief Fund), and support in the fights against breast cancer, domestic violence, and other destroyers of self-esteem.
Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (CMN Hospitals) raises funds for 170 children’s hospitals that provide 32 million treatments each year to kids across the United States and Canada. Donations stay local to fund critical treatments and healthcare services, pediatric medical equipment, and charitable care. Since 1983, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals has raised more than $5 billion, most of it a dollar at a time. Its various fundraising partners and programs support the nonprofit’s mission to save and improve the lives of as many children as possible.
CAST (Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking) aims to assist persons trafficked for the purpose of forced labor and slavery-like practices, and to work towards ending all instances of human rights violations.
Food 4 Africa is committed to supplying at least one vitamin- and mineral-enriched meal each day to the children of Southern Africa, where the HIV/AIDS epidemic has left more than 11 million children orphaned. Of the 3.9 million orphans in South Africa, approximately two million have been orphaned as a direct result of AIDS, and countless others have been orphaned as an indirect result.
Whether building specially adapted smart homes for wounded heroes, lifting spirits at home and abroad with an explosive live concert, or bringing war veterans to the museum built in their honor, the Gary Sinise Foundation serves America’s heroes and their loved ones 365 days a year.
Leeza’s Care Connection is the place to go to answer the question, “Now what?” when someone you love has a chronic illness or disease. Life doesn’t always come with a happily ever after ending, but Leeza’s Care Connection offers free services and programs to help you through it when it feels like all hope is lost. Leeza Gibbons started this service to honor her mom, who died of Alzheimer’s disease.
No Limits is the only family-centered program in the world that teaches low-income deaf children (ages 3–18) the skills to succeed in school and in life through its national theater program and afterschool educational centers that enhance their confidence and communication skills, while providing the leadership and academic skills to be college-ready. No Limits educates parents to be advocates for their deaf children and shows that they have the potential to go further than they can imagine.
Thirst Project is the world’s largest youth water organization. In just 10 years, Thirst Project has mobilized more than 600,000 students and young people who funded over 2,900 water projects in 13 countries, giving more than 390,000 people access to safe, clean drinking water for life.
For more information, visit paulmitchellschoolsfunraising.org and follow them on Instagram: @paulmitchelledu
[Photos by Lizzy Sherman & Kamala Kirk]
Lizzy Sherman is an award-winning digital content writer/editor. She has been a featured guest speaker at Cal State University Northridge, Digital LA and The National Association of Audience Marketing Professionals. When she's not writing, Lizzy enjoys yoga and playing guitar. Follow her on Instagram: @zillizy