By Elena Epstein
Holly Robinson Peete, Jason Priestley and Naomi Lowde-Priestley attend the 16th Annual DesignCare to Benefit The HollyRod Foundation at The Lot Studios on July 19, 2014. PHOTO BY TIFFANY ROSE/GETTY IMAGES FOR DESIGNCARE
Holly Robinson Peete and the Peete family hosted celebrities and friends at The Lot Studios in Hollywood for the 16th annual DesignCare, a celebration of fashion, philanthropy and music that benefits the HollyRod Foundation. Guests enjoyed a cocktail reception, silent and live auction, a runway show by fashion sensation Michael Costello and a special musical performance by Naturally 7, an a cappella R&B group known for their “vocal play.”
Holly Robinson Peete and Rodney Peete are well known for their advocacy in the autism community, as well as many other organizations and causes including Parkinson’s disease. The couple, who have a 15-year-old son on the autism spectrum, recently shared a candid view of their life, marriage and family with L.A. Parent for our annual “Your Child with Special Needs,” publication. You can read their story here: LA Parent/Special Needs
The HollyRod Foundation, dedicated to providing help and hope to those living with autism and Parkinson’s disease, was founded in 1997 by NFL quarterback Rodney Peete and actress Holly Robinson Peete. For more information on the foundation, please visit HollyRod Foundation
Roman Peete, Dolores Robinson, Ryan Elizabeth Peete and Rodney Jr. Peete attend 16th Annual DesignCare To Benefit The HollyRod Foundation. PHOTO BY VIVIEN KILLILEA/GETTY IMAGES FOR DESIGNCARE
The July 19th gala honored the following community activists:
- Serena Esformes, fashion designer and founder of SMAK Apparel – 2014 HollyRod Young Compassionate Entrepreneur Award
- FedEx – 2014 HollyRod Corporate Compassion Award
- Pamela Wiley-Wells, Ph.D., founder of LA Speech and Language Center – 2014 HollyRod Angel on the Path Award
- Izzy Paskowitz, founder of Surfer’s Healing – 2014 HollyRod Angel on the Path Award
- Ben Petrick, author and former Major League Baseball player living with Parkinson’s – Matthew T. Robinson, Jr. Award of Courage
- Anthony Starego, first varsity football player with autism – 2014 HollyRod Autism Champion Award
Celebrity guests included:
Michael Costello, Naturally 7, NBA player Dwyane Wade, Russell Simmons of Def Jam Records, Candace Cameron Bure (Make It Or Break It), Laila Ali (All in With Laila Ali), former professional boxer Sugar Ray Leonard, Alex Meneses (The Cleveland Show), Leeza Gibbons (America Now), comedian Tommy Davidson, Octavius J. Johnson (Ray Donovan), Mayte Garcia (Army Wives), Charlotte Ross (Hit The Floor), model Daisy Fuentes, Amy Yasbeck (Life On A Stick), Jason Priestley (Call Me Fitz), Mohamed Hadid (Real Housewives of Beverly Hills), Melissa Carcache (Every Witch Way), Access Hollywood hosts Shaun Robinson and Billy Bush, Lisa Gastineau (The Gastineau Girls), Cleo King (Mike & Molly), comedian Byron Allen, Elise Neal (Belle’s), Heather McComb (Ray Donovan), Challen Cates (Big Time Rush), Peter Savage (The Deer Hunter), Blanca Blanco (On Air), and many others.
