It was a hot and beautiful night – perfect for the 2015 Brent Shapiro Foundation’s Summer Spectacular under the Stars, held on the spacious grounds of a private Beverly Hills estate.
About 1,000 guests were on hand September 12 for the 10th annual edition of the event for the foundation, which was formed by Robert, Linell and Grant Shapiro in honor of their son and brother Brent– whom they lost a decade ago when he was a USC student who succumbed to an alcohol and drug overdose –in order to raise awareness and forge prevention of alcohol and drug abuse.
To that end, the evening raised $1.3 million for those efforts, much of it contributed by guests who bid on live auction items including a walk-on role in Showtime’s hit drama “Ray Donovan,” which went for $9,000, a Los Angeles Lakers VIP experience, which netted $10,000, a guest spot on Larry King’s interview show, which sold for $20,000, and a series of paintings and portraits donated by various artists including Peter Max, which brought in thousands of dollars in additional contributions.
The funds go towards the organization’s mission of saving lives and incentivizing young people not to fall into dependence on drugs or alcohol. The program is called Brent’s Club and it rewards students who graduate high school sober in Los Angeles by giving them college scholarships.
Actor Rob Lowe was presented with the Spirit of Sobriety Award and spoke movingly of his journey since becoming sober 25 years ago. “Being in recovery has given me everything of value that I have in my life. Integrity, honesty, fearlessness, faith, a relationship with God, and most of all gratitude. It’s given me a beautiful family and an amazing career. I’m under no illusions where I would be without the gift of alcoholism and the chance to recover from it,” he said–and shouted out his wife Sheryl for being by his side during his struggles.
“She inspired me to get sober. She’s put up with my defects of character as they call it. In sobriety the lessons keep coming if you’re lucky enough to be along as long as I have. She’s stood by through all of that. And I love you very much,” he told her from the stage.
Attendees were seated at round tables on the lawn and served an alfresco dinner by Wolfgang Puck’s catering company. On the menu: roasted beet salad with market berries and goat cheese, toasted hazelnuts and citrus vinaigrette, pan roasted chicken with grilled summer vegetables and buttermilk cake with market strawberries and whipped crème fraîche.
But the real dessert was the special performance by Smokey Robinson, who sang his classic “My Girl” and other hits before bringing out a Motown protégé, Jadagrace, who performed “Tracks of My Tears.”
And although there were tears in honor of Brent Shapiro’s memory, there were also smiles at the joyous legacy the foundation carries on in his name.
