Venice Family Clinic hosts its 25th Annual Children’s Holiday Movie on Saturday December 8, 2012 at the Laemmle Monica 4-plex in Santa Monica in celebration of quality health care provided to 7,500 low-income and uninsured infants, children and teens on the Westside of Los Angeles.
Each year, Venice Family Clinic invites underprivileged patients and children from neighborhood schools, local homeless shelters and churches to enjoy a free private screening of a newly released film, receive donated presents and take pictures with Santa Claus. The 2012 Children’s Holiday Movie was Disney’s new animated hit “Wreck-It Ralph.â€
“Children’s Holiday Movie raises critical funds for Venice Family Clinic in the holiday spirit of giving to families in need in our neighborhood,†explains Venice Family Clinic CEO Elizabeth Benson Forer. “We could not put on this event without the generous support of Disney, Greg Laemmle of Laemmle Theatres and our sponsors, committee members and volunteers who came together to make Children’s Holiday Movie a magical experience our families will remember for years to come. Our staff and volunteers truly have as much fun at Children’s Holiday Movie as the kids!â€
As the main fundraising event for Venice Family Clinic’s pediatric programs, Children’s Holiday Movie raised over $100,000—a record amount—in support of the Clinic’s comprehensive medical, dental, vision and mental health services for low-income and uninsured infants, children and teens throughout the year.
Attendees enjoyed a red carpet arrival and were greeted with refreshments provided by Starbucks and Dole. Following the film, the children received Steve Madden gift bags filled with treats, toys, books and games generously donated by Mattel, Jakks Cares, the Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation and many others.
Former WBC Welterweight Champion Victor Ortiz, teen actor Ryan Ochoa and the newly-crowned 2012-2013 Miss California Latina Crystal Rose Munoz and Miss Teen California Latina Isabel Donadio handed out donated presents and posed for photos with guests and Santa Claus.
Over 1,000 men, women, and children attended this year’s Children Holiday Movie. Venice Family Clinic invited patients and children from Westside homeless shelters, youth programs and schools including Children First Early Head Start, Broadway Elementary School, Couer d’ Alene Elementary School, Westminster Elementary School, Walgrove Elementary School, and Wooton Youth Center.
The 2012 Children’s Holiday host committee included Rick Bradley, Kaitlyn Cafferky, Amanda and Bryan Callen, Karen Davidson, Carolyn Deighan Coyne, Rebecca Gayheart Dane, Laura Doss, Amy Eldon and Jon Turteltaub, Raegan Gall, Dr. Cambria Garell, Gabriela Islas, Morgan Kays, Alena Lehrer, Jennette MacLachlan, Teresa Phraner, Dana Rosenberg, JulieAnne Searles, Monica Spiro, Jill Thomas, Leisa Wu and Kristen Zimmer.
