Preparations are in full swing for one of the biggest and most star-studded benefit galas in the world – Barbara Davis’s biannual Carousel Bell which supports the Children’s Diabetes Foundation (www.childrensdiabetesfoundation.org), voted the country’s top leading care and research center for Type 1 diabetes.
Founded 37 years ago, the Carousel Ball has raised a staggering $80 million for the Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes in Denver, Colo.
Presented by Mercedes-Benz for the six time running, the glamorous ball will be held at the Beverly Hilton on October 11, where guests will try to outbid each other on a range of amazing auction items that are always a highlight of the evening.
But along with the fundraising element, there is a lot of fun. The gala has historically featured indelible performances by some of the top entertainers in the world, among them Elton John, Sting, Stevie Wonder, Paul McCartney, Neil Diamond, Barry Manilow, Ricky Martin, Beyoncé, Rod Stewart, Frank Sinatra, Celine Dion, Bette Midler, Josh Groban, Jennifer Hudson and B.B. King.
Keeping the evening going with a large dose of humor into the proceedings, Jay Leno will again be the master of ceremonies for the event. Its blue-ribbon committee included Sir Michael Caine, Barbra Streisand, Denzel Washington, Sumner Redstone, Les Moonves, Paul and Maurice Marciano, Jane Fonda, Berry Gordy, Richard Gere, Carey Lowell, David Geffen, Brad Grey, Scarlett Johansson, Maria Shriver, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, Goldie Hawn, Sir Sidney Poitier and Sir Elton John.
If you can’t make it to the ball, here’s another opportunity to participate: Sunday, September 28, under the banner of “Kids Helping Kids,” Rick Caruso is turning over The Grove in West Hollywood to the Carousel of Hope for a day of family activities, special lunch fare and diabetes testing.
