Candace Cameron-Bure (DWTS) and Jordan Bobbitt at Children Mending Hearts Empathy Rocks event.
There is one event my daughter Jordan and I have been anticipating since attending their inaugural event “Style Sunday” last summer and that’s the Children Mending Hearts (CMH) fundraiser Empathy Rocks! No-one knows how to throw a family-friendly party like CMH founder Lysa Heslov and her dedicated team. Honestly, I wasn’t sure how Lysa would top last year’s spectacular event with gorgeous venue, plethora of activities, shopping opps and star-studded guest list, but of course she did.
Child Stars old and new unite! Zac Efron and Merit Leighton pose for HMB at Children Mending Hearts event “Empathy Rocks!”
Empathy Rocks was held at a private estate in Beverly Hills near the Greystone Manor. After entering through the press line, the expansive lawn opened up into a wonderland of activities: Yoga classes, rock climbing, gigantic beach ball games, arts & crafts, Tokidoki, screening printing with Michael Stars, Shoe design, Perfume making, psychics and tarot card readers, henna tattoos, lash extensions, facials, mani-pedis, and shopping! And all of this included an open bar courtesy of Casamiga Tequilia and yummies from Pasta Chips, Luvo, and more!
(L to R) Jordan Bobbitt, Dan Schneider, Marlowe Peyton and Merit Leighton enjoying the day at CMH’s Empathy Rocks!
We loved meeting some of our favorite stars (Zac Efron, Corbin Bleu, Candace Cameron-Bure), reuniting with friends old and new (Gabrielle “Gabby” Reece), but the main event was the real treat – hearing from Lysa and all of those who have assisted her cause throughout the year. Holly Robinson Peete was the recipient of the Humanitarian of the Year Award. Then we were treated to performances by youth, The Negotiators and Ava Cardoso-Smith. The kids even got to hang with Nickelodeon’s own Dan Schneider, former Head of the Class teen actor, who now produces Nickelodeon’s most popular shows (Victorious, ICarly, Sam and Cat, Drake and Josh, Zooey 101, The Amanda Show, Kenan and Kel).
Holly received Humanitarian of the Year
If you weren’t able to make it to the event this year I highly encourage you to attend next year – it’s truly one of my new summer highlights. Children Mending Hearts, founded by Heslov in 2008, is dedicated to empowering disadvantaged youth through educational and arts programs that build empathy and global citizenry. Their goal is to directly engage the youth of America in global children’s causes where they can positively impact the life of another child and ultimately realize their potential to effect change both in their own community and around the world. If you would like to donate to CMH, click here. To bid on fabulous CMH auction items – like a meeting with Relativity Media’s own Ryan Kavanaugh!- click here.
