16TH ANNUAL DESIGNCARE TO BENEFIT THE HOLLYROD FOUNDATION

Many celebrities, family members and friends of Holly Robinson Peete and the Peete family gathered under the stars at the Lot Studios in Hollywood to support the 16th Annual DesignCare to benefit the HollyRod Foundation.

Holly and husband Rodney have worked non-stop through their charity and special events to bring awareness and gather support for those living with autism and Parkinson’s disease.

The night was dedicated to fashion, philanthropy & music and featured a cocktail reception, silent/live auction, musical performance by R&B group Naturally 7 and a runway show by Project Runway alumn Michael Costello. Holly looked amazing on the red carpet in one of Costello’s designs, and when I asked her what can we do to support those living with autism she said, “It’s important to donate, to give. But I just tell my friends, if you don’t have a lot of money to give find someone in your community and ask them what they need. It may be as simple as baby sitting or getting groceries. It could be something simple and tangible that doesn’t cost really. So we all can find a way to help”.

The red carpet was full of supporters and friends of the HollyRod foundation like Dwayne Wade, Russell Simmons, Candace Cameron, Bure, Laila Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, Michael Costello, Naturally 7, , Alex Meneses, Leeza Gibbons, Tommy Davidson, Octavius J. Johnson, Mayte Garcia, Charlotte Ross, Daisy Fuentes, Amy Yasbeck, Jason Priestley, Mohamed Hadid, Melissa Carcache, Shaun Robinson, Billy Bush, Lisa Gastineau, Chaz Dean, Cleo King, Byron Allen, Elise Neal, Heather McComb, Challen Cates, Peter Savage and Blanca Blanco.

This year the HollyRod Foundation honored FedEx, Serena Esformes, Pamela Wiley-Wells (Ph.D.), Izzy Paskowitz, Ben Petrick and Anthony Starego, for their incredible contributions to the autism and Parkinson’s communities.

The R&B group Naturally 7 had the guests on the feet with a special a cappella performance using their voices like fine-tuned instruments. And celebrity designer Michael Costello gave the audience a view of his new collection before it’s showcased on the runway at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in the Fall.

To find out how to support the HollyRod Foundation and those living with Autism and Parkison’s Disease visit www.HollyRod.org for more information.