9th Annual Denim & Diamonds for Autism Raises Over Quarter of Million for Kids With Autism

ACT Today! (Autism Care and Treatment Today!) presented its 9th Annual Denim & Diamonds for Autism gala, produced by D. Plump Consulting, on Sunday, Oct. 19, 2014 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Westlake Village, Calif. The star-studded charity gala raised a over quarter of a million dollars for direct help to children with autism whose families cannot afford the necessary tools their children need to reach their highest potential. This year’s event saw more than 500 guests for a night of giving, hosted by KTLA TV entertainment reporter Sam Rubin with celebrity presenters Magic Johnson, Julie Bowen, Charles Esten, Lennon and Maisy Stella, and Daniel and William Baldwin.

ACT Today!’s legendary fundraiser featured a cocktail reception, silent and live auctions, live entertainment and dinner program with special tribute to the 2014 honorees: actress Holly Robinson Peete, former NFL quarterback Rodney Peete, actor Nolan Gould ("Modern Family"), singer/songwriter Sophie Rose and philanthropist Virginia Viola. Among past ACTivist honorees are actor Joe Mantegna, TV executives Vin Di Bona and Steve Mauldin, and TV host Tom Bergeron. With special performances by ACT Today! grant recipients singer/songwriter Dominque Brown and singer Spencer Harte, dancing with the World of Ballroom Dancers and music provided by The Ventura Jazz Orchestra.

Proceeds from Denim & Diamonds for Autism will provide immediate care and treatment to children with autism, including behavioral therapy, medical treatment, assistive technology, assistance dogs, social skills programs, tuition for special needs schools and assistance to military families with children with autism.

Celebrity guests included actress Julie Bowen ("Modern Family"), NBA champion Earvin "Magic" Johnson (LA Lakers), actors William "Billy" Baldwin, Daniel Baldwin, Atticus Baldwin, son of Daniel Baldwin, actress Holly Robinson Peete, former NFL quarterback Rodney Peete, actor Nolan Gould ("Modern Family"), singer/songwriter Sophie Rose, actress Amy Yasbeck, actress Haley Pullos ("General Hospital"), actress Tisha Campbell-Martin ("My Wife and Kids", "Martin"), actor Duane Martin ("All of Us"), actress Breanna Yde ("The Haunted Hathaways"), actor Coy Stewart (“Are We There Yet?), lifestyle expert/on-air personality/author Susan Campbell Cross and actor Karan Brar ("Jessie").

The 9th Annual Denim & Diamonds for Autism is sponsored by Vin Di Bona Productions, Tolman & Wiker Insurance Services, LLC, Aldebaran SoftBank Group, Burbank Printing, Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc., SMI Concepts, Inc., Jay and Judy Hearst, Nevers, Palazzo, Packard, Wildermuth & Wynner, PC, Puritas Organic Gold, UBS Financial Services, 20th Century FOX Television, Forever Yours, City National Bank, The Shape of Behavior, Meyer, Lineagen, Olson, Lowy & Meyers LLP, Morrie Sage's Universal City Nissan, Lineagen, Isabella Emporium, Private Protective Services, Westlake Magazine, Rage Models, Tito's Handmade Vodka, The Resort at Pelican Hill-Newport Beach, Product Confidential and UnitedHealthcare.

For more information about ACT Today!'s Denim and Diamonds visit: www.denimanddiamondsforautism.net.