Last Friday morning (December 1) at CBS Television City, 250 Los Angeles Unified School District students (ages 5-12) were joined by some very special celebrity guests to ring in the holiday season at the Fulfillment Fund's 45th Annual Holiday Party. The young students, some of whom have special needs, come from educationally and economically under-resourced communities throughout Los Angeles. Celebrity guests included Regan Aliyah (Club Mickey Mouse), Reylynn Caster ("Me, Myself & I"), Gabe DeGuzman (Club Mickey Mouse), Connor Finnerty ("Dance Off Juniors"), Kingston Foster ("Fuller House," Disney's "Zombies"), Sheadan Gabriel ("So You Think You Can Dance"), Blake Hendricks ("NC-14"), Chase Pollock ("Santa Stole Our Dog: A Merry Doggone Christmas!"), Brandon Tyler Russell ("Beverly Hills Christmas"), Lily Rose Silver (Sia's "The Greatest"), Lyric Ross ("This Is Us"), Lofton Shaw (Marvel's "Inhumans"), "Big Will" Simmons (Club Mickey Mouse), Phillip Solomon ("Raven's Home") and Nicole Wolf (Hulu's "Runaways").
The magical celebration started as children arrived to enter a soundstage which was transformed into a Winter Wonderland with stunning sets created by CBS set decorators. Young students had their picture taken with Santa & Mrs. Claus, attended a variety show with live music, singers, and other specialty entertainment, enjoyed a fun lunch surrounded by festive cheer and had a dance party with the young tv and film stars. Gifts were generously provided by Lakeshore Learning and the children eagerly awaited unwrapping them once they returned to school. A special honorary plaque was also given to the Specialty Family Foundation for their annual support of the party.
Over four decades ago, this event served as a catalyst eventually leading to the creation of local education nonprofit, the Fulfillment Fund. Now in its 40th year, the Fulfillment Fund serves thousands of Los Angeles students through college access programs each year.
ABOUT THE FULFILLMENT FUND
The Fulfillment Fund has empowered youth through education for four decades. With a mission to make college a reality for students growing up in educationally and economically under-resourced communities, the Fulfillment Fund seeks to open young people's eyes to the possibility of college and change their beliefs about what they can achieve. www.fulfillmentfund.org
Photo Credit: Nina Prommer/Fulfillment Fund
BIg Will SImmons
BIg Will SImmons
BIg Will SImmons
Blake Hedricks, Big Will Simmons, Regan Aliyah
Blake Hedricks
Brandon Tyler Russell
Brandon Tyler Russell
Chase Pollock
Connor Finnerty
Dr Gary Gitnick
Gabe De Guzman
Lily Rose Silver
Lyric Ross
Lyric Ross
Maria Booth
Nicole Wolf
Nicole Wolf
Phillip Solomon
Phillip Solomon, Cherna Gitnick, Dr Gary Gitnick, Lyric Ross
Phillip Solomon, Cherna Gitnick, Dr Gary Gitnick, Lyric Ross
Regan Aliyah
Regan Aliyah
Reylynn Caster
Ryan Asher
Ryan Asher, Regan Aliyah
Sheadan Gabriel
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