"A Time For Heroes" Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Fundraiser

My family and I recently attended "A Time For Heroes" fundraiser for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation . This star-studded event went above and beyond to pamper their guests with amazing food, fun activities and an abundance of entertainment.

When we first entered Wadsworth Great Lawn we could see hundreds of people walking around enjoying the festivities. Of course our first stop was for food and boy was there plenty of it! We started off with a yummy chili-dog from Pinks, then sampled some tacos from Chipotle and moved on to dessert with ice-cream from the Big Chill and decadent mini-cupcakes from Miss Priss Cupcakes.

Our next stop was the Kodak PhotoSharing tent where we took a safari-themed family picture. All the guests were excited for the opportunity to take photos with celebrities such as Denise Richards, Billy Crystal, Evan Lycasek, Mark Whalberg and Olivia Munn. Check out this video where the celebrities share their favorite "Kodak moment"



There were multiple stations for entertaining kids like decorating a pair of 77 Kids jeans by American Eagle Outfitters, coloring a custom-made Oopsy Daisy night light and personalizing a Harambe drum circle. My daughter actually sat on Joey Lawrence's lap as he decorated a "Lakers" drum circle while paparazzi snapped away. She was a natural grinning for the camera. My favorite activity was probably decorating and assembling a Tunaweza care package kit that will be sent to an expectant mother in Africa. We colored the bag with fabric markers and wrote messages of love and hope on the outside. The package included a baby's hat, some gauze, a syringe and additional medical supplies. The Disney volunteers were so helpful during this activity!

When we weren't sampling the delicious cuisine, taking our Kodak photo or decorating a souvenir we were busy celebrity spotting and there were lots of them! Dick Van Dyke was adorable dressed as a pirate, Howie Mandel and Joel McHale were both hilarious as my husband and daughter spoke to them, Wayne Brady was friendly, David Duchovny was charming and Seth Green was gracious. Oooh and my husband looked extra excited, although he'll probably deny it, to meet the sultry and very sweet Carmen Electra. I could go on an on listing more celebrities that we met so let's just say that most of Hollywood was there. With all those A-listers my daughter's FAVORITE was undoubtedly Minnie and Mickey Mouse! She spotted them at the Disney Safari Photo station and didn't want to leave. Luckily Timone from "Lion King" was there to relieve them so she was equally as excited to meet another Disney character.

Here are some of the celebs that stopped by the Kodak booth to take photos and sample some of the lates Kodak products.


Billy Crystal

Denise Richards helping guests at the photo booth and checking out the new Kodak demos.

Mark Wahlberg and family checking out their safari photos.

Jesse McCartney who also performed at the event.

Lori Loughlin with Billy Bush and Howie Mandel and Lori checking out the Kodak photo Kiosk.

Laila Ali and her adorable son.

Billy Bush helping guests find their Kodak souvenir photo and posing with Howie Mandel.

Seth Green cozied up to a lion in the Kodak Photo Sharing Booth.
This generous foundation was started by Elizabeth Glaser who acquired HIV through a blood transfusion and unknowingly passed the virus onto her daughter, Ariel, and her son, Jake. Following Ariel's death in 1988 Elizabeth joined with her close friends Susie Zeegen and Susan DeLaurentis to create a foundation with one mission: to bring hope to children with AIDS. Sadly, Elizabeth lost her own battle with AIDS in 1994 but thanks to the work of the foundation her son and hundreds of thousands of other children have the opportunity to lead longer and healthier lives. It was very touching to hear Jake talk about his late mother and sister and also see some moving testimonals by kids and teens living with AIDS and HIV. The successful event raised $1.3 million for pediatrc AIDS.


The three women who pioneered the foundation: Susan DeLaurentis (left), Susie Zeegen (center), and Elizabeth Glaser (Photo: EGPAF)
Everyone came together to help support this great cause including Kodak, United Airlines, Coca-Cola, Toyota, Google and many more. Disney was acknowledged for underwriting the "A Time For Heroes" picnic. Their commitment to children and families worldwide is truly an inspiration. With the continued support from the public and these generous sponsors the Elizabeth Glaser foundation will undoubtedbly continue to help more children for years to come.

"People say they care but it's action that saves lives."
-Elizabeth Glaser
Thank you to Kodak for allowing me to be their guest at such a remarkable event!

Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post and the views expressed within it is my own honest personal opinion.