Hollywood Stars, Singers Unite To Raise Money For People Of Flint
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — The distance between Hollywood, California and Flint, Michigan is a little more than 2,270 miles.
But on Sunday, the cities were quite close.
Several Hollywood stars, singers and behind-the-scenes folks in the entertainment business held a fundraiser called "Hollywood Helps Flint."
Many of the stars who took part, were Flint or Michigan natives.
Stars like R&B legend Stevie Wonder added their name to the fundraiser's board of directors.
Country superstar Ty Herndon was just one of the many performers.
The event, created by publicist Howard Bragman, manager Tulani Bridgewater and director Alex Grossman ran from 4-6:30 p.m. at Spaghettini (184 N. Canon Dr.) in Beverly Hills.
A number of professionals in the entertainment industry have joined together to do a benefit for their hometown of Flint, Michigan in response to the city's devastating water crisis.
The fundraiser featured performances by Herndon, as well as Flint native and triple Grammy winner Dee Dee Bridgewater, Tamir Hendlemen and John Clayton.
Guests will be treated to Angelo's Coney Island hot dogs—a Flint staple, and Vernor's ginger ale.
CBS's Brittney Hopper reported from the fundraiser.
Director Grossman -- a Flint native -- told her, "When I heard about what was going on there, one night, I woke up and went to the kitchen to get a glass of water. And I thought, 'Wow. How lucky am I that we just take it for granted that you can just go and get a glass of water."
The host committee consists of a number of Flint natives and Michiganders who have banded together to send a message of love and support to the city. The committee includes Wonder, Grossman, Bragman, Tulani Bridgewater, Dave Koz, Cary Hardwick, Sandra Bernhard, Sam Gottlieb, Carter Oosterhouse and Amy Smart, attorney Adam Kaller, agent Rhonda Price, television personality Bob Eubanks, designer Steven Rachwal, Jill Rosenbaum, director Wendey Stanzler, filmmaker Laurie White, actor Ben Cain, writer Gordon Young, talent booker Krystyn Price, super agent Sam Gores, attorney Adam Kaller and author Ben Hamper.
Proceeds will go to FlintKids.org, a local charity that addresses the health needs of children affected by the crisis.
The event hoped to raise at least $35,000 for the charity.
