Annual gala focused on drug prevention to be hosted by Eva Longoria featuring performances by Sheila E. and Pia Toscano
The Brent Shapiro Foundation for Drug Prevention will hold its highly anticipated Summer Spectacular in Beverly Hills on Saturday, September 21st. The invite-only gala celebrates the 14th year of the foundation, which has raised over $12 million for drug awareness and prevention, focused on high-risk communities.
Hosted by actress, producer and activist Eva Longoria with musical performances by Sheila E. and Pia Toscano, this year’s gala will bestow the foundation’s Spirit of Sobriety Award upon actor, producer and writer Will Arnett who has been very candid both personally and through his work on Flaked, about his sobriety. Past recipients of the award include Joe Manganiello, Rob Lowe, Jack Osbourne, Harry Hamlin, Sugar Ray Leonard, Christopher Lawford Kennedy, and Patrick J. Kennedy.
Foundation creators Robert and Linell Shapiro will also present three full ride college scholarships and ten $5000 college scholarships to members of Brent’s Club, its educational drug prevention program, for successfully completing high school without failing a drug test.
Prominent entertainment industry leaders and celebrities will gather to recognize advances in drug prevention and rally around the growing movement to end the disease. Past event attendees have included Sofia Vergara, Diana Ross, Kim Kardashian, Kris Jenner, Mario Lopez, Nicole Richie, Paris Hilton, Sharon Stone and many others.
The Summer Spectacular gala raises money for the heart of the foundation, Brent’s Club. Brent’s Club was created as a drug prevention program working in conjunction with The Boys & Girls Club of America. Brent’s Club programs educate pre-teens and teens about the consequences of drug use and works to prevent the formation of dangerous habits, actively showing children how to lead drug-free lives. Members participate in regular drug testing and as a free, rewards-based program, it sponsors community outings and once-in-a-lifetime activities, from NBA star basketball camps to celebrity meet-and-greets. Ultimately, a number of sober graduates are rewarded with college scholarships funded by the foundation. Brent’s Club currently serves over 5,213 children through programs in 16 locations in Boyle Heights (sponsored by the L.A. Dodgers), Monterey Park, Malibu, Long Beach, the Bronx (sponsored by the New York Giants) and Chicago (sponsored by the Chicago White Sox and Chicago Bulls). Brent’s Club just launched their newest location at the Learning Lab Ventures in North East LA (sponsored by the Detroit Pistons) and will have three more locations opening before the end of the year.
About The Brent Shapiro Foundation for Drug Prevention
Robert and Linell Shapiro created the Brent Shapiro Foundation and Brent’s Club following their son Brent’s death to honor his life and promote prevention and awareness of chemical dependence. The foundation’s mission is to save lives through awareness and effective programs that incentivize kids to abstain from drugs and alcohol. For more information on the foundation, visit www.brentshapiro.org.
