The 23rd annual ‘Salute to Youth’ benefit was held in Beverly Hills, California on April 24, 2008.  Sheriff Baca’s Foundation hosted the benefit gala which honored Ryan Kavanaugh, founder and CEO of Relativity Media LLC, at the Sheriff Leroy D. Baca Community Champion Award.
At the creatively themed event, “A Venetian Masquerade”, Gerard Butler presented Ryan Kavanaugh his award. Sheriff Baca proclaims, “We are thrilled to be honoring Ryan this year. He is very dedicated to helping children and has become a very important member of the Sheriff’s Youth Team”. The honorary co-chairs include Mark Canton, Jon Feltheimer, Leslie Kavanaugh and Jack Kavanaugh, Matthew Kavanaugh, Andrew Marcus, Mary Parent, Marc Shmuger, Harry Sloan, Tucker Tooley, Jason Weinberg, Harvey Weinstein and Jim Wiatt.

Sheriff Baca developed the Sheriff’s Youth Foundation to raise money for underprivileged young people in the Los Angeles County. “American Idol” alum Bo Bice and Dwight Yoakum were at the event performing as well as comedian Sinbad presiding over the ceremony. All of the proceeds from the event will go to the Sheriff’s Youth Foundation to help accomplish their gallant mission.

The Sheriff’s Youth Foundation’s mission is, “To offer at-risk youth in economically underprivileged neighborhoods the opportunity to grow and develop the tools needed to succeed in life. Young people in the Foundation’s program interact with positive role models from the Sheriff’s Department and the local community in activities that contribute to the strengthening character and self-esteem, building a positive view of the future, and gain the confidence needed to resist negative influences.”

The basis and philosophy of the Sheriff’s Youth Foundation is exemplified by all that Ryan Kavanaugh involves himself in. Kavanaugh has been an active supporter of the Sheriff’s Youth Foundation for many years. He has also been associated with numerous other charities including the Jewish Big Brother Big Sisters for which he was recently been honored at the Jimmy Carter Work Project. Ryan is also a co-chair of Habitat for Humanity of the Greater Los Angeles “Building a Greater L.A.” campaign which promises to build or renovate 250 homes in the next three years along with the honorary co-chair California’s Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Kavanaugh is also consistently working with Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters and hosts “Magic of the Match” carnival every year at Camp Max Straus. He will also be launching a drama program at Camp Max Straus as well.  Along with these charities, Ryan Kavanaugh is on the board of the Jewish Television Network with fellow board member Michael Lynton.

For years now, Ryan Kavanaugh has been a leader in helping children’s causes.  He has lent a helping hand where one is so desperately needed while using his position in the Hollywood limelight to assist in showcasing these worthy, selfless causes.

Photographs courtesy of Greg Tidwell.