Hundreds of guests turned out to honor “Girl Meets World” star Rowan Blanchard, actor Wilmer Valderrama, and actress Holland Roden at Children Mending Hearts’ 9th annual Empathy Rocks fundraiser. The event was held June 11 at the Walton-Laurie estate in Los Angeles, California. Guests enjoyed a curated shopping boutique experience featuring pop-up shops from Kendra Scott Jewelry, Fifi & Romeo, and Rosie G, all of which donated 25% of the day’s sales to Children Mending Hearts. The event raised over $300,000 to support the organization’s educational arts program, which teaches the principle of empathy through creative programs to economically disadvantaged children throughout Los Angeles County.
Honored for their commitment to empowering communities and changing lives, Rowan Blanchard received the Youth Humanitarian Award and gave an inspiring acceptance speech about the importance of young voices being heard, while Wilmer Valderrama received the Heal the World Award and challenged youth to become active on important issues as difficult as it may seem. Holland Roden was also honored with this year’s Global Humanitarian Award.
Children Mending Hearts was founded by filmmakers Lysa and Grant Heslov to empower economically disadvantaged children through art education programs that inspire empathy and global citizenry. Since 2008, the nonprofit has provided free art education programs to thousands of at-risk students in various schools throughout Los Angeles County as well as community organizations including the YMCA, Boys and Girls Club, Community in Schools, After School All-Stars, and Girl Scouts of America. Since its founding, Children Mending Hearts has impacted the lives of nearly 20,000 at-risk children in Los Angeles, inspiring future generations of loving and socially conscious global citizens.
Photo Credit: Getty on behalf of Children Mending Hearts
