200 plus attended the Vista Inspire Program at Vista Del Mar Child & Family Services fundraiser a Texas Hold ‘Em tournament, generously hosted by Drs. Morteza and Karen Khaleghi at their home. The event raised over $81,000 for the successful Vista Inspire Program which serves children with autism spectrum disorder and other special needs through therapeutic, after school programs focusing on dance, drama, voice, and musical theatre. The Vista Inspire Program also includes one-of-a-kind Bar/Bat Mitzvah education preparation for Jewish families.
“What an amazing night this was†, said Vista Del Mar’s President and CEO Dr. Elias Lefferman. “We are truly grateful to see so many generous people in the community come together to support the Vista Inspire Program and the children and families it serves.â€
80 people participated in the “Texas Hold’ Em†style poker tournament with Larry Goldberg, whose daughter is a student at Vista, claiming first place. 
Entertainment was provided by The Wolf Blitzers, a four piece jazz band comprised of local high shool students. The teen musicians attend schools in Santa Monica, Brentwood and the Pacific Palisades.
The event also offered additional entertainment including black jack, instructional poker tables, massage and beauty services, and physic readings.
About Vista Inspire Program (VIP):
Under the direction of Elaine Hall, who created The Miracle Project—a theater and film-arts program for children with special needs that was profiled in the Emmy-Award-winning
documentary Autism: The Musical—VIP serves children with autism spectrum disorder and other special needs through several therapeutic, after-school programs focusing on dance, drama, voice, music, and musical thea
tre.
For more info: http://www.vistadelmar.org
