Acclaimed author, philanthropist and actress Holly Robinson Peete teamed with her daughter, Ryan Elizabeth Peete, for the release of their new children’s book “My Brother Charlie” to shed light on and support for children with Autism and and kick-off The hollyrod4kids Miracle House Project.
My Brother Charlie” is based on Ryan’s own relationship with her twin brother RJ. It is a heartwarming account of a young girl learning to understand her twin brother’s autism.
Proceeds from the book’s launch event go toward the development of hollyrod4kids Miracle House, an all-purpose support, treatment, and therapy center for families affected by autism. The hollyrod4kids Miracle House, an initiative of the HollyRod Foundation, will provide services such as support and help groups, hyperbaric oxygen treatments, speech pathology and diet education among many other therapies crucial to the progress and treatment of children with autism that may not otherwise be accessible and affordable.
Ryan Elizabeth Peete, Rodney Peete, Holly Robinson Peete and family. Photo by Alex J. Berliner / BEImages
Sponsored by Mercedes Benz and Outback Steakhouse, the star-studded release party took place at The Culver Studios, and was attended and supported by Denise Richards, Busy Phillips, Cedric the Entertainer, Blair Underwood, Jolie Fisher, Yvette Nicole Brown, Amy Yasbeck, Alison Sweeney, Booboo Stewart, Tisha Campbell Martin and Duane Martin and more.
Holly and Ryan Elizabeth Peete spoke to the crowd, and afterwards Rodney and the boys (Robinson and Roman) presented Holly and Ryan with a congratulatory cake (with the book cover on the designed on the cake) as a surprise.
The family-themed afternoon featured performances by Radio Disney’s KSM and Nickelodeon star Ashley Argota, and The Miracle Project.
Reminding us that our kids should be well rounded, The Scholastic Corporation sponsored a reading corner.
Other fun activities included a mobile aquarium provided by Aquarium of the Pacific, a rock climbing wall, Twister, Rock Band, and a “bouncy house”.
Amidst all the festivities, hungry guests were treated to a spread catered by Outback Steakhouse.
Charitable foundation The Art of Elysium provided a live reading of “My Brother Charlie”, complete with a true-to-life Harriet the Dog.
Holly and Ryan Elizabeth Peete spoke to the crowd, and afterwards Rodney and the boys (Robinson and Roman) presented Holly and Ryan with a congratulatory cake (with the book cover on the designed on the cake) as a surprise.
The Art of Elysium also asked guests in attendance to decorate puzzle pieces for a mural donated to the HollyRod Foundation.
HollyRod Foundation Mission
Quality of life is something we all strive for and that opportunity is diminished for many due to disease and life altering challenges. The HollyRod Foundation is dedicated to providing medical, physical and emotional support to those suffering with debilitating life circumstances, especially Parkinson’s disease and autism. Where there is need, HollyRod Foundation provides a smile of comfort, showing we will be there every step of the way. Efforts of The HollyRod Foundation are providing a better quality of life for individuals and their families while they fight to LIVE! For more information, visit www.hollyrod.org
How It All Began
The HollyRod Foundation was founded in 1997 in honor of Holly’s late father, Matthew T. Robinson Jr., who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1982. The HollyRod Foundation seeks to “give a voice and a hand to those striving for quality of life when theirs has been diminished due to disease or disorders.” Their continuing mission evolved to providing care and support for kids with autism when Ryan’s twin brother, RJ, was diagnosed with autism in 2000. https://www.hollyrod.org
Proceeds from Sunday’s release party also went toward development of the HollyRod4Kids Compassionate Care Center – an all purpose support, treatment, and therapy center for families and kids affected by autism.
The event was sponsored by Mercedes Benz and Outback Steakhouse.
Congratulations on all you do Holly Robinson Peete. Happy Mother’s Day to you and all mothers.
My favorite part of the event was meeting KSM and Meaghan Martin.
How much of Holly Robinson Peete’s HollyRod Foundation really benefits Autism? According to its 1999 990 IRS Tax Return, out of nearly $400,000 in direct public support, only $9,900 was given to charities. The majority of the money contributed went directly to businesses run by Holly or her husband, Rodney Peete. This information is available on http://www.guidestar.org if you search for “The HollyRod Foundation”. You can create an ID for free and see this report. It is sad that the money contributed was not used how the contributors thought it would be used.