Heroes of Hollywood Luncheon Recognizes Donelle Dadigan with Distinguished Johnny Grant Award
More than 400 people attended the annual fundraiser which was held at the Taglyan Cultural Complex in Hollywood on June 1st. Returning for another year in their roles as Co-chairs were Carol Sarian and Cindy Braun. ABC Entertainment guru George Pennachio served as celebrity Emcee.
View the 2017 Heroes of Hollywood Commemorative Book
Our honoree Donelle Dadigan grew up learning the importance of two life lessons - helping shape lives of others and giving back to the community. “D.D.” is devoted to all things Hollywood.
She is President and Founder of two not-for-profit organizations. The José Iturbi Foundation is dedicated to “popularizing classical music…. one note at time!”® And, the Hollywood Museum, now considered the official museum of Hollywood (designation bestowed by Hollywood’s Honorary Mayor Johnny Grant). As a philanthropist and lover of history, Donelle wanted to create something meaningful for the Hollywood community. The Hollywood Museum, located just steps from the Hollywood Walk of Fame, is dedicated to the history and heritage of Hollywood and the entertainment industry. With 10,000 real show business treasures showcasing more than 100 years - from Hollywood’s humble beginnings to today’s blockbuster motion pictures, television shows and new digital platforms - the Hollywood Museum is home to the largest entertainment collection on public display, and is a ‘must see’ for visitors from around the world.
Inspired by her godfather, concert-great classical pianist and conductor, José Iturbi, Donelle co-founded the José Iturbi Foundation dedicated to sharing and popularizing the wonders of classical arts and music with audiences around the world, including sponsoring blockbuster concerts at the Hollywood Bowl. For more than 20 years, Dadigan has been involved with community groups and charitable organizations in Hollywood and California. Today, Dadigan is co-chair of the Hollywood Historic Trust, a duty passed on from the late Johnny Grant; she sits on the Board of Directors of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, and the Hollywood Police Activities League, among others. Additionally, she has served on the boards of service organizations in the Hollywood Community, including the Hollywood Business Improvement District, the LACER (Literacy, Arts, Culture, Education, Recreation) after school programs, Hollywood High School, and PATH (People Assisting the Homeless). Donelle’s impact on the Hollywood community has been recognized by numerous awards.
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'Entertainment Tonight' Host Nancy O’Dell was recognized with the Mary Pickford Award. This prestigious award is given to a celebrity who has made a difference in the entertainment industry and the Hollywood community.
The 2017 Heroes of Hollywood Awards luncheon honored Beatrice Girmala, Assistant Chief, LAPD; John Lyons, owner of the Avalon; Baydsar Thomasian, Deputy District Director, Office of President Pro Tempore Kevin de Leon; and Pink’s Hot Dogs.
Platinum Level sponsor of the event is the Hollywood Museum in the Historic Max Factor Building and the Gold Level Sponsors include Avalon Hollywood, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, LaTerra Development, LLC., Managed Career Solutions, MBS Group, Pink’s Hot Dogs, and Taglyan Cultural Complex. The Silver Level Sponsors include City National Bank, The CrisCom Company, Famous Hollywood Dental Care, FilmL.A., Inc., Harridge Development Group, Hollywood Hotel, Hudson Pacific Properties, Jimmy Kimmel Live! Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center, Occidental Entertainment Group Holdings, The Original Farmers Market, Pacific Commerce Bank, Pantages Theatre / Nederlander Concerts, Paramount Contractors & Developers, Southern California Gas Company, and US Bank.
The Annual Heroes of Hollywood Luncheon fundraiser allows the Hollywood Chamber Of Commerce Community Foundation to give out around $50k per year in grants to nonprofits in Hollywood that help the community.
About the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce - www.hollywoodchamber.net
For more than 96 years, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce has provided leadership, business development resources, networking, and government affairs programs and services to keep the Hollywood business and residential communities safe, relevant and economically vital. Jeff Zarrinnam of Hollywood Hotel, is the Chair of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors 2017-18, and Leron Gubler is the President/CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. For more information please visit www.hollywoodchamber.net.
About Heroes of Hollywood – www.hollywoodchamber.net/heroes
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
Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Community Foundation – www.hollywoodchamber.net/foundation
The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Community Foundation is an organization within the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce that promotes outreach and the well-being of the non-profit organizations within the community. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Community Foundation achieves its goal by awarding grants to support and advance the educational, cultural and economic interests of the Hollywood community. The Foundation is unique because, as part of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, it illustrates the success of a business advocacy group giving financial assistance to the community that it serves, namely the charities that are members of the Hollywood Chamber.
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