On Saturday June 11, 2011 Charity Lives supported the 3rd Annual ‘An Evening for Autism’ Fundraiser, raising over $170,000 in the fight against autism. The tropical themed event was held at the Newport Beach Estate of Real Estate Entrepreneur Barry Saywitz, whose seven- year old son was diagnosed with autism at the age of two. Benefactors of the event include ACT Today! (Autism Care and Treatment Today), Autism Society of America (ASA), Easter Seals Southern California and Talk About Curing Autism (TACA), and the Newport Mesa School District’s Autism Programs.

600+ of Orange County’s finest came together for a night of support, entertainment, and cuisine. Red carpet arrivals kicked off the evening as guests made their way to the back of the estate to let loose in paradise with cocktails and unlimited samplings from some of OC’s most popular restaurants including: Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Wildfish Seafood Grille, Maggiano’s Little Italy, Newport Rib Company, The Beach Pit BBQ, The Cheesecake Factory, and Taco’s & Co.

The live and silent auction was the core of the night and fundraising success with large selections of items from high end wine tasting to ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ travel escapes and adventure; with event’s auctioneer Bubba Jackson, program DJ at KJAZZ (88.1 FM). The tropical evening included guest appearances by Lynne Curtin of “The Real Housewives of Orange County” (Season 5), Chris Massey (actor /rapper), Kyle Massey (actor /Dancing with the Stars), Leyla Melani -“Deal or No Deal” model, actor Max Ryan (Sex and the City 2), Shar Jackson (actress), C.J. Manigo (Actor), Ali Sepasyar (Actor), and Jackson Rogow (Actor). In addition professional athletes Eddie Guardado (former Major League Baseball (MLB) relief pitcher, Jay Johnstone (former LA Dodgers), Jamaal Wilkes (Retired LA Laker) and Local political dignitaries Mayor of Newport Beach Michael Henn, Mayor of Costa Mesa Gary Monohan, LeeAndrah Silva of Assemblyman Allan R. Mansoor (Costa Mesa), former Mayor of Newport Beach and current council member of Newport Beach – Ed Selich and former California State Assemblyman of Irvine- Chuck Devore supported and attended the 2011 fundraiser.

Charity Lives, an advocacy campaign, whose mission is in the organization, support, and promotion of a globally recognized philanthropic dogma came together with Orange County’s local autism based charities to support the fight against autism and bring awareness to the unacceptable facts that 1 in every 91 children is being diagnosed with autism and more than 2 million are currently living with autism in the U.S.

by Charity Lives

view photos in event gallery

This year’s event raised more than $170,000, which will benefit ACT Today! (Autism Care and Treatment Today), Autism Society of America (ASA), Easter Seals Southern California and Talk About Curing Autism (TACA)
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This year’s event raised more than $170,000, which will benefit ACT Today! (Autism Care and Treatment Today), Autism Society of America (ASA),  Easter Seals Southern California and Talk About Curing Autism (TACA).  In addition, proceeds from the event will benefit Newport Mesa School District’s Autism Programs.

“I am amazed at how much support and generosity we received from our community,” said Saywitz (whose seven-year old son was diagnosed with autism at the age of two).  “We hope the money we raised with help these organizations and charities thrive and continue to prosper.”

The star-studded event included guest appearances by Lynne Curtin of “The Real Housewives of Orange County” – Season 5), Chris Massey (actor and rapper), Kyle Massey (actor/Dancing with the Stars), actor Max Ryan (from Sex and the City 2), Leyla Melani – “Deal or No Deal” model, Shar Jackson (actress from the comedy series Moesha) C.J. Manigo (Actor- Dude, What Would Happen), Ali Sepasyar (Actor: Dude, What Would Happen), Jackson Rogow (Actor: Dude, What Would Happen) and Bubba Jackson, program DJ at KJAZZ (88.1 FM), who was the event’s auctioneer.

In addition, the following professional athletes supported and attended the event: Eddie Guardado (former Major League Baseball (MLB) relief pitcher, Jay Johnstone (former LA Dodgers) and Jamaal Wilkes (Retired LA Laker).

Local political dignitaries who attended the event included Mayor of Newport Beach Michael Henn, Mayor of Costa Mesa Gary Monohan, LeeAndrah Silva of Assemblyman Allan R. Mansoor (Costa Mesa), former Mayor of Newport Beach and current council member of Newport Beach – Ed Selich and former California State Assemblyman of Irvine- Chuck Devore.

Saywitz was honored at the event by Assemblyman Allan R. Mansoor’s office by receiving a certificate of resolution marking Saywitz’s on-going efforts in raising money for families affected by autism.

The first-class, fully-catered event included a special performance by George Komsky (finalist in “America’s Got Talent”), who sang The National Anthem, and performances by: “Arrest My Sister” rock band, a Steel Drum band, a Pan Jive Band and a Rockin House Party Band.

The charity event received strong support from the local community and national corporations.  Guests had a chance to sample appetizers from the following food sponsors:  Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Wildfish Seafood Grille, Maggiano’s Little Italy, Newport Rib Company, The Beach Pit BBQ, The Cheesecake Factory and Taco’s & Co. In addition, the drink sponsors included Blue Ice Vodka, ONE HOPE Wine, Heineken, New Castle, Evans Lager, Body Armor and La Paz Products.  Coffee was provided by Starbucks.  Dessert was provided by The Cheesecake Factory, Kitty’s Catering, Cupcakes & Cookies by Linda Bertch and Nothing Bundt Cakes.

Corporate sponsors included US Bank(Platinum sponsor), PowerDirect (Diamond), The Colton Company and Institute for Applied Behavior Analysis (IABA) (Gold).  VIP reception sponsor was Union Bank.  Silver sponsors included Cal Bank & Trust, Fletcher Jones Motorcars and SmartStop™ Self Storage.  Bronze sponsors included:  Badali Design Communications, Minute Man Press, Reaction Audio Visual, Signature Party Rental, Sign Depot, TPSS Inc., IFM Group, www.easyoc.com and Brand Model and Talent Agency.

Media sponsors included 944 Magazine, Charity Lives, Coast Kids, Distinctive Homes Magazine, LOCALE Magazine, M Magazine, Newport Beach Independent and Newport Beach Magazine.

Additional information about the event or to participate in next year’s event, please visit www.aneveningforautism.com

About The Saywitz Company

The Saywitz Company is one of the largest privately held commercial real estate brokerage firms in Southern California. The Saywitz Company exclusively represents tenants, companies, and users of commercial real estate on an international, national and local basis. Headquartered in Newport Beach, Calif., the company has been in business for more than 36 years and continues to be one of the leaders in tenant representation in Southern California. For more information, please visit www.saywitz.com.

About ACT TODAY!

ACT Today! (Autism Care and Treatment Today) is a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to providing funding to families that cannot afford or access the treatments their autistic children need.  It was founded in 2005 by Dr. Doreen Granpeesheh, a renowned expert in the field of autism and ABA, and a group of parents who had experienced great progress with their children with autism.  www.act-today.org

About Autism Society of America

Autism Society of America (ASA), the nation’s leading grassroots autism organization, exists to improve the lives of all affected by autism. We do this by increasing public awareness about the day-to-day issues faced by people on the spectrum, advocating for appropriate services for individuals across the lifespan, and providing the latest information regarding treatment, education, research and advocacy.  Additional information is available at www.autism-society.org

About Easter Seals Southern California

Easter Seals is the leading non-profit provider of services for individuals with autism, developmental disabilities, physical disabilities and other special needs. For nearly 90 years, we have been offering help and hope to children and adults living with disabilities, and to the families who love them. Through therapy, training, education and support services, Easter Seals creates life-changing solutions so that people with disabilities can live, learn, work and play. Support children and adults with disabilities at www.easterseals.com or http://autism.easterseals.com/.

About Talk About Curing Autism (TACA)

Talk About Curing Autism (TACA) is a national non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to educating, empowering and supporting families affected by autism. For families who have just received the autism diagnosis, TACA aims to speed up the cycle time from the autism diagnosis to effective treatments. TACA helps to strengthen the autism community by connecting families and the professionals who can help them, allowing them to share stories and information to help improve the quality of life for people with autism. http://www.tacanow.org

About Newport Mesa School District

Newport-Mesa Unified School District, in partnership with the Costa Mesa and Newport Beach communities, is to graduate students who have acquired the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to achieve significant career, educational, civic, and personal goals, which will enrich our society.  The school district offers an extensive preschool program for special needs students and those with autism in particular.  There are five preschool programs with 10 classrooms throughout Newport Beach and Costa Mesa.  In 2008, the district formed a softball league, T-ball league and track and field Olympics for all of the preschools to assist those special needs students in adapting to social environments, sports and physical development.

Real estate entrepreneur Barry Saywitz hosted the second annual An Evening for Autism, which netted more than $200,000 for Talk About Autism, Autism Society of America, Easter Seals Southern California, and Newport-Mesa Unified School District’s Autism Programs. The tropically-themed benefit at Saywitz’s home in Newport Beach drew more than 600 guests, who enjoyed the eight beverage bars (martini, rum mojito, wine, beer, etc.), appetizers from a number of local restaurants, video games, a golf putting green, pinball machines, and silent and live auctions. Joining Saywitz, right, at the fundraiser were singer/actress Debbie Boone, center, and Mark Whitley, president of Easter Seals Southern California.

View the post & photos on CoastMagazine.com

Event host Barry Saywitz with Senator Lou Correa of Santa Ana

It came, it went and it most definitely entertained. The 2nd annual “An Evening for Autism” attracted over 600 guests to the home of real estate entrepreneur Barry Saywitz and raised more than $200,000 with tickets sales, silent and live auctions, and various sponsor donations. Rolling out the red carpet was just the beginning for guests as they arrived to the event’s front doors. Greeted by tropical melodies resonating off steel drums, attendees made their way toward the main event floor and were welcomed by the sights of a stunning stone pool, aqua-toned table settings, and a sea of food, refreshments and reggae music.

If the tables lined with appetizer samples didn’t stop guests in their tracks, the silent auction tables showcasing paintings, sculptures, photographs and countless other items did. Midway through the night a set of motivating presentations gave a more intimate perspective of how those with varying levels of autism have been living their lives while inspiring others in their communities. Saywitz was also awarded with a “resolution certificate” from the State of California by Senator Lou Correa of Santa Ana for his dedication to helping raise funds and awareness for autism programs and research over the past five years.

In closing, the night had a line-up of engaging live music, including the up and coming band “Arrest My Sister” who’s lead singer and songwriter is an autistic (musical) savant. Scott Siegel has written and copyrighted over 300 songs through the Library of Congress in less than a one year span and having wrapped their first EP in May of this year, AMS was excited to participate in promoting awareness for autism. From start to finish it was a glorious evening for friends, families, celebrities and community/business leaders from across the Southland to show support for a great cause.