Holly Robinson Peete and Rodney Peete hosted their 19th Annual DesignCare, a stylish charity extravaganza held at Sugar Ray Leonard’s residence in Los Angeles on July 15. Benefiting the HollyRod Foundation, the gala featured an evening reception, a colorful fashion show with designs by Rubin Singer, in addition to a live concert by R&B recording artist Joe. Other celebs in attendance included Boris Kodjoe, Chloe & Halle, Daisy Fuentes, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Garcelle Beauvais, Lela Rochon, Nicole Ari Parker, Samuel L. Jackson, Terry Ellis, and Tina (Knowles) Lawson.
During the event, the HollyRod Foundation honored Linda Ronstandt with the Matthew T. Robinson Award of Courage, Sugar Ray Leonard with the Humanitarian Award, Karen E. Smith with the Angel on the Path Award, and Chase Coleman with the autism Champion Award. Sesame Workshop was also honored with the HollyRod Corporate Compassion Award for their commitment to autistic children and their families. During the event, Sesame Workshop, the non-profit educational organization behind Sesame Street, debuted their newest cast member, Julia. Julia is a Muppet with autism.
The HollyRod Foundation is a non-profit organization devoted to giving care to those living with autism and Parkinson’s Disease. What began as an intimate mixer at Holly and Rodney’s home, DesignCare, which is HollyRod’s signature fundraising event, has grown to be one of the most exclusive, fashionable, and inspiring events of the summer. One in 68 children are diagnosed with autism every year and 50% of these children have extreme difficulty learning how to speak, while 25% of them never will. After Holly and Rodney’s eldest son, RJ, was diagnosed with autism, HollyRod’s mission expanded to provide resources to families affected by an autism diagnosis.
Photo Credit: Tiffany Rose/ Getty Images
HR promo 1 from Don Hankins on Vimeo.
