On November 15th, at approximately 5PM 'Manita' (short for little sister in Spanish), my parents 10 year old Dachsund, went out in the ...   more »

On the eve of the historic inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama, he calls on us to give back to our communities today. Coincidence or not, Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday will usher in a much-anticipated change in our leadership, with volunteerism as Obama's first order of the day. "It is not a day to just pause and reflect - it is a day to act" said Obama today.   more »

With the Holidays around the corner, it's not too early to consider making a difference in someone's life, but also having a little piece of Hollywood and Disney magic touch your life would be a new twist on the season of giving. I found a wonderful organization that intends to do just that, and I want to share their cause with you.

On November 30th, The Hollywood Youth Foundation (HYF) is partnering with Lift Up America, Radio Disney and Pink Cadillac Entertainment to provide Winterfest, an event dedicated to giving back to less-fortunate children in Los Angeles, California. HYF is a newly established non-profit organization planning to provide food, toys, a live concert featuring current pop artists and a red-carpet greeting to underprivileged children, or “VIPs” as they are called on this special day, from local LA organizations like Ronald McDonald House, children’s hospitals, the Boys and Girls Clubs and others.

What’s my connection to this organization when I live in San Diego, you ask? I had the good fortune of meeting Greg Durfee at the taping of the Jonas Brothers mini-outdoor concert for the Jimmy Kimmel Show in March of this year. While waiting for the show to begin, Greg told me about his successful effort last year to keep the Hollywood Christmas Parade alive, and his work assisting needy kids as part of this annual event. Having experienced rock-bottom himself, he has taken on the purpose of providing children with a lot of cheer, sprinkled with a bit of Hollywood glitter, during the holidays.

The Los Angeles Hollywood community almost lost the 79 year-old parade in 2007 when the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce announced it couldn’t support the event any longer. The LA Times reported: “The city’s decision to save the parade followed a months-long lobbying effort by a private group that sprang up days after the event’s demise was announced. Organizer Greg Durfee, a production-company operator who lives in Hollywood, donned a Santa Suit and led an impromptu protest down Hollywood’s Walk of Fame.”

Courtesy Hollywood Chamber of Commerce

You, your business or group can lend a hand by becoming a sponsor, or making a tax-deductible donation, to be used to pay anything from toys to the extravagant staging area planned for the children to enjoy. Sponsorship opportunities are available at several levels, and donations in any amount (every little bit helps!) are welcomed too. Advertising in the Winterfest program, and VIP seating for the concert and parade are some of the benefits you'll enjoy as a sponsor.

To find out more about sponsorship packages visit their website at www.hollywoodyouthfoundation.org and click on the green gift-tag.

If you would like to help by making a financial gift, you can also send your tax deductible contribution to:

Or contact:

Greg Durfee

Executive Director

323.317.5186

Greg@HollywoodYouthFoundation.org

or

David Ruiz

President

David@HollywoodYouthFoundation.org

When contacting HYF, please mention you heard about them on my blog, and feel free to forward or link this post so we can help spread the word.

Of course, what kind of Hollywood event would this be without a little star power? Click here to read about past celebrities who've participated in the parade. And be sure to come back later this month to find out what stars will be shinning bright down Hollywood Boulevard this year ... when Disney's involved, you never know who might show up!

 The Hollywood Youth Foundation and the City of Los Angeles are preparing to continue Tinsel town’s traditional procession down the heart of Hollywood with the 77th annual Hollywood Santa Parade. With your generosity, Winterfest will be filling needy children's hearts with the joy of the season too.