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Wounded Warrior Project Hosted US Veterans in Hollywood for an Oscar’s Weekend of Appreciation – To Them

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Boy Band IM5 with Wounded Warrior Matthew keil

Boy Band IM5 with Wounded Warrior Matthew keil Photo by Karen Reuter

The nonprofit organization, Wounded Warrior Project, whose mission is to honor and empower Wounded Warriors, brought veterans and their families to Hollywood, CA, from across the United States, to enjoy a much-deserved day of appreciation for their selfless and brave service.

The event, produced by Amy & Scott Malin of Trueheart Events, brought together some of of the biggest names in movies, television, music and sports came together to celebrate and honor our wounded service members, and treated them to a true Hollywood experience.

Actress Wendy Davis, TV star Justin Bird, Michael Hopkins, Lisa Hopkins, Wounded Warrior Josh Sommers and actor Nestor Serrano - Andy Halbeck

Actress Wendy Davis, TV star Justin Bird, Michael Hopkins, Lisa Hopkins, Wounded Warrior Josh Sommers and actor Nestor Serrano – Andy Halbeck

During the program, Wounded Warrior Project showed guests one of their national TV awareness campaign spots.  The spot features EMMY award winning actor Dean Norris from the hit TV show “Breaking Bad” sharing the amazing story of wounded warrior Eric Edmonson and his family.

The amazing Norbie Lara shared his inspirational story on stage. He served tour after tour, and bravely chose to go back again, when the Iraq War started. There he sustained his life threatening injuries that he lives with today. He suffers from a brain injury, PTSD, and the loss of one of his arms, yet he is a strong man who helps many wounded warriors such as himself.

Wounded Warrior Norbie Lara

Wounded Warrior Norbie Lara

Celebrity hosts each filmed a heartfelt message on site that will be used to create national awareness of this generation’s injured service members.

Some of Hollywood’s brightest stars that attended included:

Angelique Cabral “Enlisted”, Elliott Yamin “American Idol“, Gloria Loring “Days of Our Lives”, Jenifer Lewis “Think Like A Man“, Kenny Lattimore, R&B artist, Lindsay Arnold “Dancing with the Stars”, Nestor Serrano (“24”), Sabrina Bryan “The Cheetah Girls” and Wendy Davis “Army Wives”, who all interacted and spent the day with our nation’s heroes to show appreciating for all they have done for us as a nation.

General Hospital star Jimmy Deshler with his vet brotherm Tony.

General Hospital star Jimmy Deshler with his vet brother, Tony.

The attendees were treated to luxurious spa treatments from the professional team at Spa del Rey located at The Ritz-Carlton in Marina del Rey. Massages, hydrafacials, Intraceuticals’ Oxygen treatments and anti-aging hand treatments were all enjoyed by the people who attended.

Wounded Warrior Josh Sommers enjoys a facial treatment from Spa del Rey - Photo: Karen Ray

Wounded Warrior Josh Sommers enjoys a facial treatment from Spa del Rey – Photo: Karen Ray

Attendees enjoyed the sounds of DJ Kid Fish as they were treated to a delicious gourmet lunch catered by Ciao!Cristina Italian Restaurant in Burbank, owned by veteran Alan O’Donovan.

The Ciao!Cristina team serves lunch to guests – Photo: Andy Halbeck

Ciao!Cristina’s servers were comprised of male and female Iraqi War veterans who served CiaoCristina!’s authentic Italian menu of salads, vegetarian and meat lasagnas, and foccaia.

Fabulous Spa del Rey gift bags were handed out including products from Natura Bisse, ilike, Organic Skincare, Coola Organic Suncare, wHet Vegan Nail Polish and many more.
To see photos, celebrities, and descriptions of all the great swag the Wounded Warriors received, CLICK HERE…

Actress Sabrina Bryan with DeVita Cosmetics - Photo: Albert Evangelista

Actress Sabrina Bryan with DeVita Cosmetics – Photo: Albert Evangelista

The team at OPI provided manicure services which featured OPI nail lacquer.
The team at DeVita Cosmetics provided glam mini makeovers featuring their high end line of vegan cosmetics.
The Oscar Blandi team offered blowouts and hair styling services.
Raw Skin Ceuticals gifted guests with products from their line of chemical free, gluten free, and cruelty free products.
PlumFlower Soap Co. gifted their handmade line of natural soaps.
ISO Beauty gifted their line of professional hair styling tools.

Actress Christine Bently with Ali's Collection - Photo: Albert Evangelista

Actress Christine Bently with Ali’s Collection – Photo: Albert Evangelista

Guests were treated to tons of fabulous fashion, exquisite jewelry and stylish footwear and accessories:

iiJin gifted pieces from their fabulous clothing line for women from their new store located at 116 S. Robertson Blvd. in Los Angeles.
Dearfoams gifted their comfy and chic line of slippers for men and women.
100% Gumdrop was proud to gift their custom “Hope” and “Courage” necklaces, made especially for the event to pay tribute to our wounded veterans.
Ali’s Collection gifted beautiful necklaces, rings and arm cuffs from their gorgeous collection.
Zumer Sport gifted their amazing line of duffel bags made from footballs and tennis balls.
Bkr gifted their line of eco-chic glass bottles.
PackIt will gifted their colorful freezable cooler bags.

Comedian BD Freeman (VH1) with the team from BuggyLOVE - Photo: Albert Evangelista

Comedian BD Freeman (VH1) with the team from BuggyLOVE – Photo: Albert Evangelista

Guests were also able to take home wonderful products for their children.

Tag Along Teddy gifted guests with adorable backpacks and hats complete with plush animals
BuggyLOVE’s gifted their safe and organic line of cleaning products for strollers and baby gear.
Artic Zero allowed guests to indulge in their guilt free frozen treats.

AquaHydrate powered the hydration station, refreshing juices were provided by Purity Organic, and Monster Energy provided energy drinks.

Wounded Warrior hero Paul De La Cerda get a haircut.

Wounded Warrior hero Paul De La Cerda get a haircut.

Injured service members and their families took home amazing gift bags as well as did the celebrity hosts and attendees.

These gift bags featured generously donated products from Amrita Singh, ClifBar, GoGo Squeez, Make My Day Beautiful!, MyTime, One Rewards, PAK and UlyssesPress.

The full list of celebrity attendees are:

Amy Jean Davis (“American Idol”), Angelique Cabral (“Enlisted”), Barrett Foa (“NCIS: Los Angeles”), BD Freeman (comedian), Carly Steel (TV host), Christine Bentley (“Ballers”), DJ Young Slade (DJ and Lil’ Jon’s son), Elliott Yamin (“American Idol”), Erin Sanders (“Melissa & Joey”), Gloria Loring (“Days of Our Lives”), Griffin Gluck (“Private Practice”), IM5 (recording artists), James Kyson (“Justified”), Jen Lilley (“Days of Our Lives”), Jenifer Lewis “(“Think Like A Man“), Jimmy Deshler (“General Hospital”), Justin Bird (“Millionaire Matchmaker”), Kate Linder (“The Young & The Restless”), Katrina Parker (“The Voice”), Keith Coogan (“Adventures in Babysitting”), Kenny Lattimore (R&B artist), Lindsay Arnold (“Dancing with the Stars”), Lindsey McKeon (“Supernatural”), Marisa Coughlan (“Space Station 76”), Nestor Serrano (“24”), Phoenix White (celebrity photographer), Sabrina Bryan (“The Cheetah Girls”), Riley Weston (“Christmas at Water’s Edge”), Vincent M. Ward (“The Walking Dead”), Wendy Davis (“Army Wives”) spent the day honoring injured service members and their families at Wounded Warrior Project’s Style and Beauty Suite.

Wounded Warrior Project then hosted a private viewing party of the 2014 Academy Awards for the injured service members and their families, while enjoying a gourmet four-course meal prepared by the executive chef at L’Ermitage Beverly Hills.

“American Idol” stars Elliott Yamin and Blake Lewis, GRAMMY nominated R&B singer Kenny Lattimore and actor Nestor Serrano joined the festivities where guests enjoyed taking fun photos in the ‘Polite in Public’ photo booth, dancing to the sounds of DJ Kid Fish and a very special performance by magician Joel Ward.

Wounded Warrior Jim Mylott with actor Barrett Foa - Photo: Igor Spektor

Wounded Warrior Jim Mylott with actor Barrett Foa – Photo: Igor Spektor

Guests were dazzled by the Academy Award best picture themed table arrangements designed by Flour LA. The partygoers with the most correct Oscar picks won fabulous prizes generously donated by Crown Diamond, Daisy Rock, Kirby Allison’s Hanger Project, iiJin, Lilypond and Comfort Research.

Producer of the Wounded Warrior Project Hollywood Oscar event is Amy Malin, of True Heart Events.

Producer of the Wounded Warrior Project Hollywood Oscar event is Amy Malin, of Trueheart Events.

Wounded Warrior Project:  The mission of Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) is to honor and empower Wounded Warriors. Their purpose is to raise awareness and to enlist the public’s aid for the needs of injured service members, to help injured servicemen and women and assist one another to meet their needs. WWP is a national, nonpartisan organization headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. To get involved and learn more, visit woundedwarriorproject.org  Twitter: @wwpinc

To read and see all the great swag the Wounded Warrior heroes received and the celebrities that joined them, continue HERE…

About the author

Jane Emery