Photography by Julie Ellerton
By MacKenzie Ring
The Children’s Lifesaving Foundation recently held a fundraising concert— La Vita Bella—at Malibu City Hall’s Performing Arts Center. Hosted by Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo, CLF raised more than $40,000. Guests enjoyed an evening of fun filled festivities that included dinner, drinks, a live musical performance, a show by Star’s Stilt Circus, and festive live and silent auctions to raise money for the cause.
Musical performances included classic tunes like “River of Love” and “Love is a Battlefield” by hosts Neil Giraldo and Pat Benatar as well as ballads by legendary gospel singer Sylvia St. James, and the Malibu High Choir. Attendees Kris Jennings, Marla Michaels and Cha-Cha Weinstein were awarded the CLF Angel of the Year awards for their great fundraising works. Christopher Rojas and Randy De Leon were awarded the Cindy Landon and Mary K. Ryan Scholarships for Academic Excellence. Additional attendees included Malibu’s Mayor Laura Rosenthal, Jeffry Michaels and Juna Roth, Frances Bowdery and Council Member Lou La Monte.
The Children’s Lifesaving Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to positively transforming the lives of Los Angeles’ at-risk, very low-income and homeless youth and families.
