Look To The Stars News: Los Angeles Mission

LTTS Exclusive: Gilles Marini Talks Charity

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:45:00 +0000

French actor Gilles Marini is well known to international audiences, with roles in Sex and the City: The Movie, Brothers & Sisters and for coming second in Season 8 of Dancing With The Stars. LookToTheStars.org recently talked with Gilles about charity and the causes he supports.

What is the criteria for choosing the charities that you so strongly support?

Stars Help Feed The Homeless For Christmas

Mon, 26 Dec 2011 12:00:00 +0000

It was the biggest Christmas event ever for Skid Row families at the Los Angeles Mission on Friday. Thousands of toys were wrapped and handed out to kids in a huge Christmas Wonderland tent – as all enjoyed a gourmet meal served to nearly 4,000.

Toyota was the primary sponsor for the event, with toys donated by JAKKS Pacific, and the Sharing the Spirit Holiday Party presented by the Festival for Children Foundation. And as usual, a host of stars turned out to brighten everyone’s day!

Stars To Feed The Homeless For Christmas

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 12:30:00 +0000

Celebrities will once again help the homeless at the Los Angeles Mission this Christmas.

Stars including Forest Whitaker, Gilles Marini (Parenthood), Melissa Gilbert, Boo Boo Stewart (Twilight – Breaking Dawn), Sarah Drew (Grey’s Anatomy), Nick Carter (Backstreet Boys), Aldis Hodge (Leverage), and more will take part in a special event on Friday, December 23.

The Los Angeles Mission Christmas Event will provide real relief for families and children with generous donations of thousands of toys, and other gifts. Hundreds of volunteers from the entertainment industry, political leaders and others will bring the joy of the season to Skid Row.

Kirk Douglas And Friends Feed The Homeless For Thanksgiving

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 13:30:00 +0000

Despite the economy, joblessness and even homelessness, Skid Row residents received something special on Thanksgiving eve, a gourmet meal served by some of the best known people in the community.

Long-time Los Angeles Mission supporter and Hollywood legend Kirk Douglas, along with his wife Anne, namesake of the Anne Douglas Center for Women, hosted the event for the seventh year in a row.

Kirk Douglas Hosts Thanksgiving Meal For The Homeless

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 11:30:00 +0000

Kirk Douglas will host his annual Thanksgiving meal for the homeless at the Los Angeles Mission today, and some big stars are expected to give him a hand.

Among those expected to help out are Zoe Saldana, Blair Underwood, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Mayor Villaraigosa, Councilman Dennis Zine, Police Chief Charlie Beck and many others.

The Mission is celebrating its 75th year of service to the community, with special food preparation and demonstrations on the street with Kogi BBQ Chef Roy Choi – best known for the Kogi BBQ Truck (and voted “Best New Chef” by Food & Wine in 2010). Roy has worked to bring a culinary experience to Skid Row unlike any other.

Kirk Douglas To Host Thanksgiving Dinner For The Homeless

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 16:00:00 +0000

Skid Row homeless men, women and children will gather at the Los Angeles Mission for a traditional Thanksgiving meal on November 23rd, with some new traditions.

Kirk Douglas and his wife Anne, for whom the Anne Douglas Center for Women at the Los Angeles Mission is named, will host the Mission’s Thanksgiving dinner for the 7th year. Volunteers will serve the meal on the closed Fifth Street outdoor dining area starting at 11:00 AM.

Anne And Kirk Douglas Honored By Los Angeles Mission

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 15:00:00 +0000

It was an evening to remember at the Beverly Hills Four Seasons Hotel, September 21st, 2011, as the Los Angeles Mission celebrated its 75th Anniversary with a special gala event.

Wednesday’s black-tie gala was the first of its kind for the Mission, and honored Anne and Kirk Douglas with the inaugural “Anne Douglas Center for Women Award” for their outstanding and continuous work on behalf of the women’s center at the Los Angeles Mission named for Mrs. Douglas. The stunning award was designed, created, and donated by Tiffany & Co.

Los Angeles Mission was established in 1936 as a soup kitchen and Christian outreach to homeless men on Skid Row. During the depression years, the needs of homeless and unemployed men were great on the streets of cities across America. Soup kitchens and bread lines were formed by religious and civic groups to provide food to the needy. One of those soup kitchens was the beginnings of the Los Angeles Mission.

Anne And Kirk Douglas To Be Honored At LA Mission 75th Anniversary Gala

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 15:00:00 +0000

The Los Angeles Mission will celebrate its 75th Anniversary with a gala event at the Four Seasons Hotel September 21, 2011. The event will honor Anne and Kirk Douglas with the inaugural Anne Douglas Center for Women Award for their outstanding and continuous work on behalf of the women’s center at the Los Angeles Mission named for Mrs. Douglas.

There will be a culinary collaboration between Chef Ashley James, executive chef of the Four Seasons, Chef Ben Ford, executive chef of Ford’s Filling Station and Chef Chris Cormier, food service director of the Los Angeles Mission. Entertainment will include Ben Vereen, Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr., Debby Boone and Deniece Williams. Master of Ceremonies will be Byron Allen.

The Mission has served the Skid Row since 1934 with food, clothing and shelter for the homeless community. Every year, Anne and Kirk Douglas show their support by feeding the hungry at a special celebrity charity event at the Mission at Thanksgiving. This event will celebrate 75 years of service and raise funding for the continuing operation of the agency.

Celebrity Charity Block Party A Success For LA Mission

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 14:00:00 +0000

A host of stars came together on Saturday to help the homeless and the hungry at the Los Angeles Mission.

Homelessness is a tragedy for anyone, especially families with children. Making ends meet with little or no income means that compromises are a daily occurrence. But the End of Summer Block Party at the Los Angeles Mission takes one compromise away from hundreds of families – school supplies.

LA Mission To Host Celebrity Charity Block Party

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 16:00:00 +0000

A massive number of stars will attend the Los Angeles Mission 75th Anniversary year End of Summer Block Party this weekend.

Celebrities and political leaders will join hundreds of other volunteers to help serve the nearly 3,000 kids and their families who will attend. Among those expected to attend are Hilary Duff (Bloodworth), Charlotte Ross (Glee), Katie Blair (Miss California USA 2011), Angie Everhart (Take Me Home Tonight), Brandon Molale (True Blood), Parris Mostellar (Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer), Ty Paintz (How to Eat Fried Worms), Lauren Storm (I Love You Beth Cooper), Savannah Jayde (Big Time Rush), Kellie Goss (Big Time Rush), Tucker Albrizi (Alvin and the Chipmunks), Allisyn Ashley Arm (Meet Dave), Paige Adkins (Cuttin’ Da Mustard), REBORN (Gospel Artist), Oren Williams (Lincoln Heights), Zachary Williams (Lincoln Heights), Justin Tinnicci (Big Love), Lauren Dair Owens (Kids Quest) and others.

The event will feature a giant street fair for children with food, games, prizes, crafts, face painting, bounce houses, giant inflatable slide and more. Children who live in the area will have a day of carefree summer fun at the Los Angeles Mission’s Annual End of Summer Block Party.

Los Angeles Mission Block Party Gets Celebrity Charity Support

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 12:30:00 +0000

The Los Angeles Mission 75th Anniversary End of Summer Block Party will this year feature a giant street fair for children with food, games, prizes, crafts, face painting, bounce houses, giant inflatable slide and more.

Children who live in the area will have a day of carefree summer fun at the Los Angeles Mission’s Annual End of Summer Block Party. Celebrities and political leaders will join hundreds of other volunteers to help serve the nearly 3,000 kids and their families who will attend.

Families who receive backpacks won’t have to decide between food and school supplies for their children. The Los Angeles Mission, along with City National Bank, US Bank, Blessings in a Backpack and Hilary Duff, Jackson Hewitt, Buck Consultants and many others make the event possible

CaCee Cobb And Donald Faison Give Their Soles To Charity

Tue, 07 Jun 2011 12:30:00 +0000

The line wound around the Los Angeles Mission on Monday as Skid Row residents waited to get a new pair of shoes during the kick-off of National Barefoot Week. 874 pairs of shoes were distributed in Los Angeles, the first day of a week where more than 10,000 pairs of shoes were expected to be distributed in five cities nationwide.

Soles4Souls, the Nashville-based nonprofit, focuses on providing free shoes to needy people around the world. The organization organized Barefoot Week in an effort to provide new shoes for the homeless in the US. Sole4Souls collects and distributes both new shoes in the US and “gently worn” shoes overseas. Soles4Souls was started by professionals in the footwear industry who use industry resources to make a difference around the world.

Scrubs Star To Give Shoes To The Homeless At Celebrity Charity Event

Thu, 02 Jun 2011 15:00:00 +0000

Scrubs star Donald Faison and Price of Beauty’s CaCee Cobb will be handing out shoes at the Los Angeles Mission next week.

National Barefoot Week will be celebrated with the giveaway of several thousand pairs of new shoes at the Los Angeles Mission – as the Mission kicks off its 75th Anniversary Celebration.

Soles4Souls is the title sponsor the series of events nationwide (June 1-7), encouraging people to temporarily go barefoot and donate their shoes. Events will be held in six cities with nearly 10,000 pairs of shoes to be distributed.

Celebrity Charity Easter Event At LA Mission Feeds Thousands

Mon, 25 Apr 2011 14:00:00 +0000

The Los Angeles Mission began its 75th year of service to the homeless of Skid Row with one of the largest street events in its history. Thousands of homeless men, women and children crowded onto closed downtown streets for the Good Friday Event. They left with new shoes and Easter baskets, their feet were washed by volunteers, and their meal served by civic leaders and well-known entertainment industry figures.

Among the stars who took part in the event were Zoe Saldana (Avatar), Hilary Duff (The Story of Bonnie and Clyde), Haylie Duff (Napolean Dynamite), Melissa Gilbert, Leeza Gibbons, Stephanie Pratt (the Hills), Taylor Spreitler (Melissa and Joey), Gilles Marini (Brothers and Sisters), Aldis Hodge (Leverage), Donal Logue (Terriers), Joey King (Ramona and Beezus), William Mapother (Lost), Angie Everhart (Take Me Home Tonight), Garcelle Beauvais (Eyes), Jayde Nicole (Holly’s World), Parris Mosteller (Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer), Tom Schanley, Roopashree Jeevaji and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

Stars Announced For Easter Celebrity Charity Event At LA Mission

Tue, 19 Apr 2011 15:00:00 +0000

A whole bunch of stars have signed up to be part of a very special celebrity charity event at the Los Angeles Mission this Easter.

The Mission and its celebrity supporters will serve more than 3,000 meals, provide nearly 1,000 Easter baskets with toys for the kids, and volunteers will wash the feet of the homeless on Good Friday.

Zoe Saldana (Avatar), Hilary Duff (The Story of Bonnie and Clyde), Haylie Duff (Napolean Dynamite), Melissa Gilbert, Leeza Gibbons, Stephanie Pratt (the Hills), Taylor Spreitler (Melissa and Joey), Gilles Marini (Brothers and Sisters), Aldis Hodge (Leverage), Donal Logue (Terriers), Joey King (Ramona and Beezus), William Mapother (Lost), Angie Everhart (Take Me Home Tonight), Garcelle Beauvais (Eyes), Jayde Nicole (Holly’s World), Parris Mosteller (Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer), and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa will be among the famous faces at the event.

Avatar's Zoe Saldana To Attend Celebrity Charity Easter Event At LA Mission

Wed, 06 Apr 2011 14:00:00 +0000

The Los Angeles Mission, celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2011, will join with celebrities when it serves more than 3,000 meals, provide nearly 1,000 Easter baskets with toys for the kids, and washes the feet of the homeless on Good Friday.

Celebrities and political leaders will be among hundreds of volunteers who will serve the meal, and perform foot washing. Scheduled to appear: Zoe Saldana (Avatar), Sarah Drew (Grey’s Anatomy), Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, City Councilman Bernard Parks, and others.

Over 2,000 pairs of new shoes will be distributed. Etnies, the world’s leading Action Sports footwear and apparel manufacturer, is donating the shoes, and will have staff on hand to ensure a proper fit for everyone. The Los Angeles Christian Health Centers uses this opportunity to address the foot problems suffered by many on the streets of Skid Row.

Law And Order Stars To Feed The Homeless

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 12:30:00 +0000

Cast members of Law and Order: Los Angeles will help serve meals to over 250 homeless people at the Los Angeles Mission this Saturday, March 26.

The project is a part of LOLA’s Donate A Day. Their Mission is to provide hope and opportunity to broken men, women, children and families in Los Angeles through meeting their spiritual, physical, educational, and social rehabilitation needs.

Cast members Terrence Howard, Skeet Ulrich, Rachel Ticotin, Tamlyn Tomita and LOLA crew are scheduled to serve food, clean up, and perform other duties.

Stars Give Shoes To The Homeless

Tue, 01 Mar 2011 12:30:00 +0000

Hundreds of homeless men and women stood in line on Friday afternoon at the Los Angeles Mission, to receive free shoes. And they were not any ordinary shoes. The latest designs from Los Angeles based lifestyle footwear brand Creative Recreation were gracing the feet of Skid Row residents by the end of the day.

The shoes were donated through Soles4Souls, a nonprofit that procures shoes and gets them to those in need all over the world. Soles4Souls has partnered with the Los Angeles Mission several times in the past to distribute shoes on Skid Row.

Celebrity volunteers – including Donald Faison (Skyline, Scrubs), Liam Hemsworth (The Last Song), Maksim Chmerkovskiy, (Dancing with the Stars), Jayson Blair (The Hard Times of R. J. Berger), Nick Hogan (Hogan Knows Best), Joshua Logan Moore (Desperate Housewives) – along with volunteers from Creative Recreation came to the Los Angeles Mission to lend a hand with the giveaway

Scrubs Star To Hand Out Shoes At The LA Mission

Wed, 23 Feb 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Volunteers and celebrities will join the Los Angeles Mission on Friday to distribute new shoes to the homeless.

CaCee Cobb (Undatable), Donald Faison (Scrubs), Liam Hemsworth (The Last Song), Maksim Chmerkovskiy, (Dancing with the Stars), Jayson Blair (The Hard Times of R. J. Berger), Tony Dovolani (Dancing with the Stars) are scheduled to appear along with other celebrities and volunteers from Creative Recreation to hand out shoes to the community.

Charity Soles4Souls will be there providing shoes to hundreds at the Mission, following the midday meal.

Celebrity Charity Christmas Eve Event Helps LA Mission

Mon, 27 Dec 2010 16:00:00 +0000

Guests lined up before dawn on the streets of Skid Row on Friday, mostly families with children, to be at the front of the line for the Los Angeles Mission Christmas Eve event.

Jennifer Love Hewitt hosted Friday’s event, and was joined by other notables from the entertainment industry, public officials, and other volunteers to serve the meal and give out gifts. Volunteers included Alyssa Milano, Stephanie Pratt, Boo Boo Stewart, Zachary Levi, Kate Linder and many more.

Celebrities To Dish Out Christmas Cheer At LA Mission

Tue, 21 Dec 2010 15:00:00 +0000

A host of celebrities will join Jennifer Love Hewitt and Santa at the Los Angeles Mission this Christmas Eve.

The Los Angeles Mission Christmas Eve Event will provide real relief for families and children with a delicious meal, generous donations of thousands of toys, coats for all guests and other gifts. Hundreds of volunteers from the entertainment industry, political leaders and others will bring the joy of the season to Skid Row.

Among the stars set to attend are Alyssa Milano (My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend), Brandy Norwood (Dancing with the Stars), Frances Fisher (Titanic), Elisabeth Rohm (Heroes), Boo Boo Stewart (Twilight Eclipse), Gilles Marini (Brothers and Sisters), Joey King (Ramona and Beezus), Stephanie Pratt (The Hills), Marisa Ramirez (Spartacus), Aldis Hodge (Leverage), Edwin Hodge (Red Dawn), Alana Curry (Days of Our Lives), Douglas Smith (Big Love), Aaron Yoo (21), Angell Conwell (The Young and the Restless), Christian Keyes (Perfect Combination), Lauren Storm (I Love You Beth Cooper), Ashley Argota (True Jackson, VP), Suzanne Whang (Los Vegas), Kristin Ruhlin (Life-ers), Kate Linder (Days of Our Lives), Brandon Molale (True Blood), Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and many more.

Jennifer Love Hewitt To Join Santa At LA Mission Christmas Event

Wed, 08 Dec 2010 15:30:00 +0000

Jennifer Love Hewitt will join Santa in delivering toys to disadvantaged children at the Los Angeles Mission this Christmas Eve.

If you can’t pay the rent, and don’t have enough food, the idea of getting toys for the kids is way down the list And the economic reality for many in the Skid Row community makes Christmas a sad time of year. But the Los Angeles Mission Christmas Eve Event will provide real relief for families and children with generous donations of thousands of toys, coats for all guests and other gifts. Hundreds of volunteers from the entertainment industry, political leaders and others will bring the joy of the season to Skid Row.

Toyota will sponsor the event, with toys donated by JAKKS Pacific, Inc. and coats from One Warm Coat and Aérospostale.

Kirk Douglas Gets Celebrity Charity Help To Feed The Hungry For Thanksgiving

Thu, 25 Nov 2010 11:30:00 +0000

The economy shows no appreciable improvement for the people of Skid Row – and the Los Angeles Mission has seen continued high levels of need over the past few months. But Wednesday was an opportunity for the residents of the area to gather and be thankful for what they do have.

Hollywood legend Kirk Douglas, along with his wife Anne, hosted the event for the sixth year in a row. They were joined by hundreds of volunteers from the entertainment industry, government, local businesses, and community members – including Kate Linder, John Schneider, Blair Underwood and many more. Many of the volunteers were from Wells Fargo Bank, who sponsored the event with a $40,000 donation.

Kirk Douglas And Friends To Feed The Homeless For Thanksgiving

Tue, 09 Nov 2010 15:30:00 +0000

Kirk Douglas will once again lead a host of celebrities as they feed the homeless at the Los Angeles Mission this Thanksgiving.

The economic downturn is evident at the Los Angeles Mission. More men, women and children are coming for assistance – looking for assistance like shelter, clothing and meals. That makes the Thanksgiving event even more necessary and special for people facing the toughest time of their lives.

For the past six years Kirk Douglas and his wife Anne, namesake of the Anne Douglas Center for Women at the Los Angeles Mission, have hosted the Mission’s Thanksgiving dinner. Volunteers from TV, radio and movies, political leaders and others will bring Thanksgiving a day early to thousands of homeless men, women and children. Los Angeles Christian Health Centers will provide foot care and exams at the event.

Stars Host LA Mission End Of Summer Charity Party

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 15:30:00 +0000

Children are the most tragic victims of homelessness. They often suffer the indignities of living out of a car or in temporary housing – longing for some normalcy. The Los Angeles Mission reaches out to the younger homeless population with its End of Summer Block Party, designed as a way for kids to play, have fun, win prizes and forget about their circumstances – if for only a day.

The End of Summer Block party was held Saturday on the main street of Skid Row, Fifth Street, where decorations, tents and inflatable play areas were set up. Besides the giant slide, there was a dunk tank, face painting, crafts, games and of course backpacks full of school supplies.

“There were smiles everywhere,” said Herb Smith, President of the Los Angeles Mission. “This was a great day, to see the kids and their parents having fun. Our volunteers really enjoy the Block Party because of the kids.” Smith continued, “Children are very important to us here at the Mission. We believe that taking advantage of educational opportunities will help break the cycle of poverty. We believe it is vital to give these kids every opportunity for educational achievement.”