Union Station Homeless Services Hosts a Night of Entertainment Benefiting Those in Need
Pasadena, CA – Hundreds of business and community leaders will join Union Station Homeless Services at its annual benefit gala, A PLACE TO CALL HOME on 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!”
To purchase tickets or to sponsor the event, visit www.unionstationhs.org/event/gala or call Amanda Green at (626) 240-4559.
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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.