Last Saturday, City Year Los Angeles held their 12th Annual Spring Break Destination Education Event. It helped raise over $2.2 million to aid students across L.A to succeed in school and life.
Over 900 guests were invited ranging from community-business leaders, celebrities, influencers, families, and AmeriCorps members for an exciting night of fun, good food, and entertainment in support of children. The event was hosted by actor-comedian and television host Joel McHale, featuring a special musical performance by GRAMMY-nominated singer Chlöe Bailey aka Chlöe.
Presenter Academy Award-winning actress and producer Viola Davis presented fellow Academy Award-winning actress, producer, and longtime City Year L.A. board member Octavia Spencer, in recognition of her advocacy and commitment to the thousands of children in L.A. public schools who benefit directly from Spencer as a mentor.
Fellow presenter Super Bowl LVI Champion and 2021 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Andrew Whitworth presented Kevin Demoff, COO of the Los Angeles Rams and City Year LA Board member in recognition of his civic leadership. Special remarks were given by Tony Vinciquerra and City Year AmeriCorp member Josiah Davis.
Other evening highlights include an exuberant welcome by City Year AmeriCorps members, a sterling video featuring City Year AmeriCorps member Sage Cuza who is currently serving at her alma mater NOW Academy in Koreatown, and an eloquently spoken word performance by Josiah Davis, a City Year L.A AmeriCorps member serving at Hollenbeck Middle School in Boyle Heights.
Many of the notable attendees include Tiffany Haddish, Collins Key, Calum Worthy, Yvette Nicole Brown, Samantha Logan, Jessica Marie Garcia, Phil Keoghan, Spencer Neville, Albert Kong, Anais Lee, Mirabelle Lee, Jakari Fisher, Bianca and Chiara D’Ambrosio, and many more.
Also included in the honorary committee are Stephanie Allynne, Zoey Deutch, America Ferrara, Isla Fisher, Molly Gordon, Phil Keoghan, Collins Key, George Lopez, Phil Lord, Chris Miller, Max Minghella, Tig Notaro, Yvonne Orji, Victoria Pedretti, Ben Platt, Justice Smith, Sebastian Stan, and Kelly Marie Tran.
The host committee consists of Erik Feig (Event Chair), Rich Battista (Board Co-Chair), Dwight Caines, Leslee Feldman, Jennifer Gonring, Andrew Hauptman, Hannah Minghella, Erik Moreno, Michelle Sobrino-Steams, Chip Sullivan, Fernando Szew, Ali Trustman, and Tony Vinciquerra.
City Year is a youth-powered nonprofit organization with the goals of expanding educational equity for students and developing student leadership through national service. City Year is a member of AmeriCorps, which operates in 29 cities as well as throughout South Africa and the U.K.