Heroes of Hollywood

Heroes of Hollywood
presented by the
Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Community Foundation

The Heroes of Hollywood Awards recognize exceptional leaders in the Hollywood community who have transformed the lives of others and/or have made a remarkable contribution to the physical environment.  Since 1993 the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Community Foundation has saluted more than 125 extraordinary leaders from Hollywood, through what was previously named the Women of Distinction Awards.

Since 2011, the awards have honored both male and female leaders, as well as families, businesses and organizations. The awards ceremony serves as one of two major fundraisers for the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Community Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to improving the lives of Hollywood community members. All funds raised from this luncheon will be awarded in the form of grants to local charitable organizations.  “Heroes of Hollywood” Awards Committee is comprised of members of the Hollywood Chamber who are volunteers and have proven to be community leaders themselves. For more information, visit http://www.hollywoodchamber.net/heroes

The awards ceremony serves as one of two major fundraisers for the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Community Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to improving the lives of Hollywood community members. All funds raised from this luncheon will be awarded in the form of grants to local charitable organizations. “Heroes of Hollywood” Awards Committee is comprised of members of the Hollywood Chamber who are volunteers and have proven to be community leaders themselves.

THE 2013 HEROES OF HOLLYWOOD AWARDS CEREMONY
The Awards Ceremony will be held on Thursday, June 6th, at the Taglyan Cultural Complex, 1201 Vine St. in Hollywood, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The reception starts at 1:30 a.m., followed by the luncheon and awards program at 12 Noon.

The Hollywood Chamber Community Foundation has announced the 2013 Heroes of Hollywood Luncheon on Thursday, June 6, at the Taglyan Cultural Complex, 1201 Vine St. in Hollywood, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. In addition to recognizing our various heroes, the Foundation will honor legendary singer and actress Debbie Reynolds with the distinguished Mary Pickford Award. Returning in his role as emcee again is Robert Kovacik, co-anchor of NBC4.

Tickets are $100 and to reserve your seat visit www.hollywoodchamber.net/events.

THE 2013 AWARDS SPONSORS
Gold sponsors are Hollywood Museum, Millennium Hollywood, and Occidental Entertainment Group Holdings, Inc. Silver sponsors are Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Andrews International, Bank of America, CIM Group, Taglyan Cultural Complex. Bronze sponsors are Allen Matkins, Avison Young, Briggs Law, Famous Hollywood Dental Care, Gensler, Gilmore Bank, Hollywood Forever Cemetery, Hollywood Hotel, Hollywood Work Source Center, Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center, NAI Capital Commercial Real Estate, Original Farmers Market, Paramount Contractors & Developers, The Private Bank of California, Sunset Gower/Sunset Bronson Studios. Foundation Chairman Marty Shelton and event co-chairs Carole Sarian and Homer Alba are pleased to announce these outstanding honorees as 2013 Heroes of Hollywood:

THE 2013 AWARDS HONOREES
George Abou-Daoud has been committed to making Hollywood a true neighborhood, helping improve area’s walkability, livability, and pride in what Hollywood means. As a hospitality entrepreneur, he brings the East Coast vibe to Los Angeles opening The Bowery, Delancey Bar & Pizzeria, and six other unique restaurant concepts. He sits on the boards of the Hollywood Chamber, the Sunset & Vine BID, Friends of the Hollywood Central Park and local neighborhood councils. His hands-on efforts have helped reduce local crimes and clean up the streets. Abou-Daoud employs over 150 people and is committed to improving the visual and underlying landscape of Hollywood.

Craig Darian has seen Hollywood as a producer, distributor, theater owner, CEO, talent manager, and a crew member on countless television and feature film productions. Craig has helped create thousands of jobs in Hollywood and has brought Hollywood productions to parts of the world where movies are now one of our greatest commercial and cultural exports. As a producer, he has worked with Robert De Niro, Anthony Hopkins, and Rita Moreno; and his distribution credits include blockbusters as Spider-Man, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Gladiator. Craig has been involved in organizations that support the youth, veteran services, education, and the arts.

Bill Farrar is a native of Southern California and son of a career Marine who has spent much of the last 35 years serving Los Angeles and Hollywood. After 23 years with the LAPD, Bill joined the private sector with Andrews International Security as Senior Vice President of Media, Entertainment and Special Armed Services. Bill helped develop and manages the Hollywood /Sunset Vine BID Patrols. His community involvement includes Hollywood Chamber, Business Leaders Task Force on Homelessness, Citizen’s Advisory Board to US Army, Hollywood Chamber Foundation, Hollywood Chamber PAC. Bill continues to help bring together business, government, and the community while encouraging involvement by future generations.

Milt Larsen founded the world-famous private club for magicians, the Magic Castle in Hollywood and is the President of Magic Castles, Inc. He is best known for his role in The World of Magic. In 2006, he celebrated the 50th anniversary of his show It’s Magic! In 2000 Magic Magazine voted him as one of the 100 most influential individuals in the history of magic. As a writer he is best known for Truth or Consequences starring Bob Barker for 18 years! In songwriting, the team of Sherman and Larsen have a cult comedy following for their outrageous songs. Milt has been a lecturer at the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. and magic conventions around the world.

Stormy Sacks is a Grammy Nominated composer/producer and has conducted and written orchestrations for more than fifty symphony orchestras. He has written the music for such television shows as “Hollywood Squares,” NBC’s “Caesar’s Challenge” and “ABC After School Specials”. For the past twelve years, Sacks has devoted most of his time to strengthening the Performing Arts Magnet at Hollywood High School and the school has garnered much acclaim for their world-class musical productions and for their show choir, H-2-0, Hollywood’s Finest Twenty. Sacks created and executive produced the first annual fundraiser to support the arts at Hollywood High: “Hooray for Hollywood ... High!”

My Friend’s Place (MFP) was founded in 1988 with a mission to assist and inspire homeless youth to build self-sufficient lives. In the 25 years since its start, MFP has grown from a small but dedicated group of volunteers serving meals from their cars once per week into a thriving, professionally-staffed social service agency serving nearly 1,600 youth per year from its Hollywood facility. With the support of countless community partners, MFP is able to offer high-impact services that help some of the most vulnerable young people move toward greater stability. MFP programs are offered to homeless youth between the ages of 12 and 25 and their children.

THE 2012 AWARDS CEREMONY
The 2012 Heroes of Hollywood luncheon was held on June 7, 2012 with a reception at 12 Noon followed by Awards program  from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at  the Taglyan Cultural Complex, 1201 Vine St., Hollywood.

THE 2012 AWARDS SPONSORS
Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Community Foundation deeply appreciates the generosity and the support of Heroes of Hollywood awards sponsors. Millennium Hollywood is the Presenting Sponsor of the Heroes of Hollywood luncheon. Gold sponsors are Hollywood Museum, Hollywood Wax Museum, Occidental Entertainment Group and Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center. Silver sponsors are Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Andrews International, Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center, Taglyan Cultural Complex. Bronze sponsors include The Aileen Getty Foundation, Author Services, Avison Young, Briggs Law, Capitol Records, IRIS from Cirque du Soleil®, The CrisCom Company, Crown Disposal, Famous Hollywood Dental Care, Genesis Financial, Hollywood Forever, Inc., Hollywood Hotel - The Hotel of Hollywood, Hollywood WorkSource Center, Original Farmers Market, Paramount Contractors & Developers, Sunset Gower and Sunset Bronson Studios.

THE 2012 AWARDS CO-CHAIRS
Sarah MacPherson, Hollywood Property Owners Alliance
Carole Sarian, The CrisCom Company 

THE HONOREES

The Hollywood Chamber Community Foundation Chairman Marty Shelton and event co-chairs Sarah MacPherson of Hollywood Property Owners Alliance and Carole Sarian of The CrisCom Company are pleased to announce the following outstanding 2012 Heroes of Hollywood honorees: Dr. Kwang Yul Cha of Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center; Laurie Goldman of GO! Goldman Organization; The Sundher Family of the Hollywood Wax Museum; Albert Sweet of Occidental Entertainment Group Holdings, Inc.; Officer Michael Ayala, Michael Coogle, Kevin Cotter, George Islas, Detective Craig Marquez, Sgt. Dave McCall, Sgt. Solomon Patton and Officer Leonard Sterling;  Hugh Hefner will be awarded with the Hollywood Distinguished Service Award in Memory of Johnny Grant.

View the 2012 Heroes of Hollywood Commemorative Program.

THE 2012 HONOREES

Dr. Kwang Yul Cha, Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center
Dr. Kwang Yul Cha is the Founder and Chancellor of Cha Health Systems and Cha University in Seoul, Korea. He received his medical degree from the prestigious Yonsei University graduating summa cum laude, and performed his postdoctoral fellowship in endocrinology and infertility at the University of Southern California. Dr. Cha is an internationally renowned medical expert and one of the most recognized authorities on reproductive endocrinology and infertility.  Dr. Cha pioneered the world’s first successful pregnancy and birth through in vitro maturation. Six years ago, he purchased Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center making it the first Korean-owned general hospital in the United States. He has been instrumental in advancing research in the area of stem cell and regenerative medicine and continues to bring research and advanced technologies to the United States.        

Officer Michael Ayala, Michael Coogle, Kevin Cotter, George Islas, Detective Craig Marquez, Sgt. Dave McCall, Sgt. Solomon Patton and Officer Leonard Sterling
This courageous team prevented a disturbed individual from continuing to shoot randomly at cars and pedestrians in the middle of the intersection at Sunset and Vine on December 9, 2011. By not allowing a disturbed individual from continuing to threaten and endanger the citizens and visitors to Hollywood, these law enforcement officers allowed transportation, commerce, and day to day activities to continue and reinforced the civil servant/citizen compact. These officers put themselves in harm’s way and responded quickly. Their swift actions saved lives and increased the trust and reliance that citizens expect from law enforcement.

Laurie Goldman, GO! Goldman Organization
For more than 35 years, Laurie Goldman has engaged in every aspect of business and community life in Hollywood.  From charitable non-profit work to her current mission as champion of the Hollywood Central Park, Ms. Goldman has exemplified community spirit and unselfish contribution in every corner of Hollywood. Countless organizations and community development projects have benefited from her boundless energy and dogged determination. Ms. Goldman’s support and commitment to community organizations include Central Hollywood Neighborhood Council, the Hollywood Arts Council, Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, Hollywood Heritage, The Getty House Foundation, The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Community Foundation, and many others. Not only has she served on their respective Boards of Directors, but she has also given of her time and talent to support their work in both fundraising and hands-on service. The Hollywood Central Park is her latest and most profound passion to date.

The Sundher Family, Hollywood Wax Museum
Since 1965, when Spoony Singh, patriarch of the Sundher Family, opened the Hollywood Wax Museum, the Sundher Family has stood as one of Hollywood’s staunchest and most generous supporters. The Hollywood Wax Museum brought energy to the Boulevard and helped spread the “brand” of Hollywood around the world. The Sundher Family continues to support the many community efforts that build the unique quality of Hollywood and continue to improve the security and marketability of Hollywood. Their strong belief in Hollywood is an inspiration to both business owners and community supporters.  

Albert Sweet, Occidental Entertainment Group Holdings, Inc.
Mr. Albert Sweet was well ahead of the “Hollywood’s Renaissance” in the 1980s, when he started buying and remodeling aged buildings. These properties have now turned into over 4 dozen office buildings, a dozen sound stages, and five operation divisions that span over 1 million sq.ft. Staying true and dedicated to Hollywood, Mr. Sweet is committed to keeping the entertainment industry in Hollywood and has no entertainment investments outside of Los Angeles. Mr. Sweet is active in numerous civic, political and charitable endeavors, including: Technion, KCET, Junior Blind, St. Anne's, Hebrew University, Venice Family Clinic, United Negro College Fund and many more. Mr. Sweet is both a pioneer and visionary who has been honored by countless organizations for his professional and philanthropic efforts.

Hugh Hefner will be awarded with the Hollywood Distinguished Service Award in Memory of Johnny Grant. This special award is reserved for those outstanding individuals whose contribution and commitment to our community rises to a level that implies a lasting positive impact to the city, the people and the dream that is Hollywood.

Heroes of Hollywood Awards honor both male and female individuals, businesses and organizations, as well.   The awards ceremony serves as one of two major fundraisers for the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Community Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of Hollywood community members.  All funds raised from this luncheon will be awarded in the form of grants to local charitable organizations.  “Heroes of Hollywood” Awards Committee is comprised of members of the Hollywood Chamber who are volunteers and have proven to be community leaders themselves.

THE HOLLYWOOD COMMUNITY FOUNDATION HONORED THESE HEROES in 2011:

The Hollywood Chamber Community Foundation presented the first annual Heroes of Hollywood Awards Luncheon at the Taglyan Cultural Complex on Friday, June 3^rd. Radio talk show host and comedienne Stephanie Miller emceed the luncheon. Carol Channing was honored with the Mary Pickford award. The commendable Heroes honored are:

Folb Family Trust - Paramount Contractors & Developers
Homer Alba - Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Kaneisha Northern - Grad Girls Network Inc.
Mitch O’Farrell - Council President Eric Garcetti’s Office
Maureen Schultz - Capitol Records
Thaddeus Hunter Smith - The Music Box

Mary Pickford Award - Carol Channing

Emcee: Stephanie Miller, Radio talk show host, Comedienne

Event Co-chairs:
Kathleen Cook - Hollywood Heights Hotel
Carole Sarian - The CrisCom Company

View the 2011 Heroes of Hollywood Commemorative Program.

The awards luncheon serves as one of two major fundraisers for the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Community Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization (Tax ID #954557923) dedicated to improving the lives of Hollywood community members.

If you like to sponsor Heroes of Hollywood, please contact the Hollywood Chamber with any questions at (323) 469-8311.