"A STAR IN YOU" Event Los Angeles”

A STAR IN YOU

Blog By: Alexandra Rose Rieger

 As Marian Wright Edelman said:

“We must not, in trying to think about how we can make a big difference, ignore the small daily differences we can make which, over time, add up to big differences that we often cannot foresee.”

The ‘In A Perfect World’ (IAPW) Foundation, founded by social entrepreneur Manuela Testolini, is actively involved in making a difference in communities nation-wide through various measures from providing workshops, like “Girl Prep” in Minneapolis (see my blog) and supporting existing organizations that are committed to the improvement and empowerment in the lives of children. One of my roles as a youth ambassador is to plan, direct and host events under the guidance and direction of the ‘In A Perfect World’ Foundation Executive Director, Dr. Towanna Freeman and Founder of IAPW Manuela Testolini. My goal was to plan and carry out a two session event before the beginning of the 2008-2009 school year. As I began to plan the event I was simultaneously working on my new CD in the studio.

I have worked with The Ronald McDonald House (RMH) of Los Angeles for several years and thought that a service project geared towards the children and families would be in line with the goals and interest of ‘In A Perfect World’ Foundation. The Ronald McDonald House is a home away from home where these brave families can stay while their heroic children are undergoing medical care.

The name of the event is “A Star In You;” a fairytalesque event that gives kids a platform to share their inner stars together in harmony. My two upcoming singles became the inspiration behind ‘A Star In You.’ The first single, “Harmony” is a song that explores the passion of peace, hope of harmony, power in unity and the beauty of letting your inner star shine carried the message of the event. The single “Fairytale,” is a song that encourages listeners to follow their dreams even if the yellow brick road isn’t so smooth, was the decorative theme.

The children at the house were filmed while they participated in the activities. This was edited into a short movie that was presented at the second session. The movie was touching because it showcases the children and their families, portraying how many of the children were originally reluctant to participate and how they blossomed and dared to share their inner stars.

At the conclusion of the Movie Star awards, copies of the short film and small tokens were passed out to all the children at the house as well as the young celebrities who came to support ‘In A Perfect World.’ Each child proudly displayed their award just as they shared their inner stars.

There are 4 things that made a big impact, touched my heart and solidified my commitment to the “A Star In You” platform The that The ‘In A Perfect World’ Foundation allowed me to create:

1. Together we are stronger: I am so grateful for the support, direction and guidance of the ‘In A Perfect World’ Foundation, the participating celebrities, the supporters that came together to make this happen.
2. Making a difference: A young boy who was staying at RMD, we invited him to participate in “A Star In You” event. He was staying at the RMH waiting for his prosthesis. When I had an opportunity to interview him later, he said that this event had changed his life and taught him that he could and enjoyed talking with others. I was looking forward to seeing him at the premiere and where he would watch himself on the big screen. Unfortunately that day, he had to leave with his mother, but not before he left me this note:

(Sorry that I couldn't make it but it so was nice meeting you, and this experience has been great. I will miss all of you and the talk show was great (too). Thank you for bringing the star out of me.)

3. World of images: In this technological age, images speak volumes. The RMH DVD speaks for itself and gives a front seat to those who are called to give to help make opportunities and events like “A Star In You” a reality.

4. Youth making a difference: What has really been so meaningful to me is being apart of a growing number of youths who are in the entertainment industry and using their time and talent to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

 Alexandra Rose Rieger, Celebrity Guest At The Elizabeth  Glazer  Pediatric Aids Foundation

 Hosted By A Time For Heroes Celebrity Carnival

On a sunny, cloudless afternoon in Brentwood, California, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation hosted the A Time for Heroes Celebrity Carnival, presented by Disney. The June 8 carnival was a huge success, providing a day of family fun and raising nearly $1 million to help support the Foundation's lifesaving programs for children and families. The carnival has been a tradition in Los Angeles since Elizabeth Glaser and her two friends, Susie Zeegen and Susan DeLaurentis, started the Foundation nearly 20 years ago.

Ticket-holders knew they were in for a treat before they even arrived: A massive Ferris wheel emblazoned with the Foundation's logo was visible for miles. But that was just the beginning. The carnival offered a dizzying array of activities - games, crafts, food, musical performances, and dozens of celebrity "heroes" who attended the carnival to help fight pediatric AIDS and have some fun of their own.
"The Elizabeth Glaser Foundation is just so special because they have improved the lives of millions of children who have been sent on this medical journey," said actor Henry Winkler.

The Disney activities were clustered under a grove of shady trees, where actors Robin Williams and Blair Underwood dueled against young warriors with foam-rubber swords in Disney's Voyage to Narnia, and actor Seth Green and Survivor host Jeff Probst read to children at Wonderland of Stories. Courteney Cox, David Arquette, and Marcia Cross hung out at Pixie Hollow, where children (and a few adults) designed their own fairy wings and wands, while teen actress, musician and youth ambassador Alexandra Rose Rieger was a celebrity reader in the fairytale inspired, Wonderland of Stories arena.

Guests with green thumbs had several activities to choose from: decorating bamboo pots at the "Grow Green, Grow Strong With Biolage" booth, staffed by several celebrity heroes, or making T-shirts and planting trees at Alternative's Green Forest with actress Denise Richards and photographer Nigel Barker. Toddlers had a ball at the Sprouts Preschool Playzone, where they could pal around with Barney, design a card for a child in Africa, or practice yoga.