Pasadena, CA – On Saturday, May 9 Hollywood came to Pasadena as Union Station Homeless Services took a new spin on its annual A PLACE TO CALL HOME benefit gala. The nonprofit hosted a “Tonight Show” themed evening of entertainment, comedy, music, and fun for all with a great cause.
Master of Ceremonies Gildart Jackson (The Young and the Restless, General Hospital), played the late-night talk show host for the night’s program, with actor and producer Blake Adams Bailey as the show’s announcer. One-on-one interviews were conducted with the honorees, as well as a formerly homeless individual who found a place to call home through the work of Union Station. The evening’s entertainment included musical guest Melora Hardin (The Office, Transparent), who performed an original song with Byron Miller and the Psycho Bass Band, the official house band for the night.
Over 400 guests, businesses and community leaders walked the red carpet at the Langham Huntington in Pasadena while posing for photos and enjoying a wine reception, hosted by Rob and Leslie Levy (owners of The Raymond), as they bid on silent auction items. Congresswoman Judy Chu and representatives from the office of Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich were among the many supporters attending this year’s gala. The event honored the contributions of Charlie & Rene Chiara and Jim & Tina Hart, long-time supporters and distinguished members of the entertainment industry who have used their talents to benefit the organization.
“We were thrilled with the turnout for this event as we honored the Harts and Chiaras”, says Marv Gross, CEO of Union Station Homeless Services. “It was our most successful ever. Gildart Jackson, Melora Hardin, Blake Bailey and the Psycho Bass Band were exceptional in adding so much entertainment and fun to a great evening.”
Over $460,000 was raised to continue the programs provided by Union Station Homeless Services to help homeless men, women and children rebuild their lives and end homelessness in the community. As the San Gabriel Valley’s largest homeless service agency, Union Station is part of a premier group of nonprofit agencies in Los Angeles County that are leading the way to ending homelessness in our region.
Union Station Homeless Services, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, is committed to helping homeless men, women and children rebuild their lives. Union Station Homeless Services is part of a premier group of human services agencies in Los Angeles County that are leading the way to ending homelessness in our community. We are the San Gabriel Valley’s largest social service agency assisting homeless and very low-income adults and families. We believe every person deserves a life of dignity and a safe place to call home. With over 40 years of experience, we proudly offer a full continuum of seven programs in seven locations; services include street outreach, intake/assessment, care coordination and navigation, meals, shelter, housing, employment development, benefits enrollment, and referrals to medical and mental health services.
Pasadena, CA – Hundreds of business and community leaders will join Union Station Homeless Services at its annual benefit gala, A PLACE TO CALL HOMEon Saturday, May 9, at the Langham Huntington in Pasadena. The nonprofit’s gala will honor the contributions of Charlie & Rene Chiara and Jim & Tina Hart, long-time supporters and distinguished members of the entertainment industry who have used their talents to benefit the organization.
The evening’s entertainment will include special guest appearances by Melora Hardin (The Office, Transparent), Gildart Jackson (The Young and the Restless, General Hospital), Byron Miller and the Psycho Bass Band, plus one-on-one interviews with the honorees, as well as a formerly homeless individual who found a place to call home through the work of Union Station.
Union Station Homeless Services is a nonprofit agency that helps homeless men, women and children rebuild their lives. As the San Gabriel Valley’s largest homeless service agency, Union Station is part of a premier group of nonprofit agencies in Los Angeles County that are leading the way to ending homelessness in our community.
Charlie & Rene Chiara have been involved in planning numerous events for Union Station for over 15 years. Charlie’s company, Clear Stream Media Group, has produced a number of films for Union Station, and last year, he enlisted his friend and star John C. Reilly to host the 2014 Anniversary Gala. Rene’s experience with public relations and event planning has made her instrumental in helping Union Station launch its inaugural gala, and she has continued to serve as its co-chair for 5 years.
Jim & Tina Hart have been dedicated supporters of Union Station for 28 years. Jim is an Emmy award-winning producer (LA Law, Wonder Years, Chicago Hope) and Tina has worked on over 200 television series as a voice-over actress. Jim has helped Union Station befriend the kindest hearted of Hollywood, including Hector Elizondo, who appears in Union Station’s PSA video and was honored at the 2012 Gala . Jim also served as co-chair for the Annual Golf Tournament at Brookside and co-chaired Union Station’s very first gala.
To commemorate the unique impact of the two couples, the agency will take a fresh, new approach at its gala. “This year’s event will be staged like a late night talk-show! Like a Hollywood event, guests can walk the red carpet as they enjoy a wine reception and silent auction before the program,” says Marv Gross, Union Station’s CEO.
“Charlie and Rene Chiara, and Jim and Tina Hart have all been enthusiastic Union Station activists and leaders for many years,” Gross says. “We are thrilled to be able to honor them at our 2015 gala. It will be a great celebration!”
Union Station Homeless Services, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, is committed to helping homeless men, women and children rebuild their lives. Union Station Homeless Services is part of a premier group of human services agencies in Los Angeles County that are leading the way to ending homelessness in our community. We are the San Gabriel Valley’s largest social service agency assisting homeless and very low-income adults and families. We believe every person deserves a life of dignity and a safe place to call home. With 41 years of experience, we proudly offer a full continuum of eight programs in seven locations; services include street outreach, intake/assessment, care coordination and navigation, meals, shelter, housing, employment development, benefits enrollment, and referrals to medical and mental health services.
