Join Children Mending Hearts for an event honoring International Medical Corps for their dedication in supporting the women and children victimized by war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Special performance by Sheryl Crow
Sponsored by Wonderwall.com
Democratic Republic of the Congo has suffered 20 years of relentless fighting that has led to an estimated 5.4 million deaths – more than any conflict since World War II – and displaced another three million. The conflict has also produced some of the most horrific cases of sexual and gender-based violence in the world today, with more than 54,000 rapes reported since 2004. This event will raise awareness of the dire circumstances and provide much needed support to the most vulnerable people in war – women and children.
WHEN: Wednesday, February 18, 2009 @ 6:30 PM
WHERE: House of Blues – 8430 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90069
WHO: Hosted by "good night, and good luck" writer/producer Grant Heslov, and his wife Lysa Heslov, the gathering supports International Medical Corps efforts to provide life-saving health care to children and women in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and around the world. Powerful stories of these women and children will be shared through art and brought back to your communities. At the event, Lysa will introduce her charity, Children Mending Hearts, which will support her ongoing work of establishing art exchanges with children in conflict zones around the world.
Lysa Heslov traveled to the DR Congo in January 2009. She filmed her efforts to raise awareness of the ongoing atrocities and set up a creative art therapy workshop for the children – all part of her commitment to International Medical Corps and her dedication to helping children of the Congo. Framed photos taken in Congo and lanterns created during the art workshops will be available for sale at the fundraiser.
Friends expected to attend: Ben Affleck, Sheryl Crow, Anderson Cooper, Marisa Tomei, Forrest Whitaker, Kevin Spacey, Joel Madden, Benji Madden, Felicity Huffman, Kate Walsh, Rainn Wilson, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Vinessa Shaw, Elizabeth Berkeley, Hank Azaria, Patricia Heaton, Tate Donovan, Deion Sanders, Heather Graham, Marshall Faulk, Laura San Giacomo, John Prendergast, and many others.
WHAT: A Celebrity-Hosted Live Auction with performances by confirmed Musical Guests: Sheryl Crow, Vusi Mahlasela, Timothy Mitchum & Carol Woods (from Across the Universe), and others. The event is sponsored by Wonderwall.com. Wonderwall is a new celebrity destination developed by MSN (msn.com) and the production company BermanBraun, which will allow consumers to experience and digest the latest on the lives of celebrities, like never before.
HONOREE: International Medical Corps Humanitarian Award to Anderson Cooper
MEDIA CONTACT: Stacey Perry – Sunshine, Sachs & Associates
Phone: 310.275.3222; Email: [email protected]
ABOUT INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL CORPS:
International Medical Corps is dedicated to saving lives and rebuilding decimated health care systems in natural disasters and war torn nations. Since 1999 International Medical Corps has supported the residents of Eastern Congo with vital health care services, life-saving nutritional programs, and anti-sexual and gender-based violence campaigns. For more information visit www.imcworldwide.org.
ABOUT CHILDREN MENDING HEARTS:
Children Mending Hearts is a global arts exchange between at-risk children in the United States and abroad that educates and empowers individuals leading them to a new sense of empathy and desire for peace.
Artwork art exchange provided by Inner-City Arts:
Founded in 1989, Inner-City Arts offers opportunities for at-risk children from Los Angeles’s public schools to build artistic self-expression, enhancing their ability to perform both creatively and academically in challenging environments.