It doesn’t get much grander than taking over SoFi stadium for a gala charitable event. And it doesn’t get much bigger than announcing a massive $50 million dollar donation from Renee and Meyer Luskin to the Luskin Orthopaedic Institute for Children.
More than 700 guests cheered wildly as that huge gift, billed as the most consequential in the organization’s history, was revealed from a podium set up in the end zone of the field at the Stand up for Kids Gala.
The gala evening was hosted by Emmy award-winning television host Mario Lopez. It began as LuskinOIC supporters descended to the field level of the Inglewood football stadium for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, before making their way onto the field itself for dinner and the program, which was capped off by a rousing performance of the band World Classic Rockers.
The band is made up of former members of legendary groups including Steppenwolf, Journey, Santana and Lynyrd Skynyrd and performed the biggest hits by those bands for the appreciative audience, many of whom were dancing in the end zone.
Previous events for the organization have recently been held at Universal Studios and Paramount Pictures but this at the stadium was a first– and guests were advised not to wear stiletto heels as they damage the turf on the field.
This year’s theme was “Sports Medicine: Heal Champions, Fuel Athletes” and its goal was to raise money to help kids while honoring the donors, doctors and patients of the LuskinOIC community.
More than 85% of the young patients are under-insured and the Institute relies on the support of donors and sponsors to help provide those with musculoskeletal injuries and conditions with the best possible medical care.
There’s even a van that makes several runs a week taking young patients to and from Calexico and Mexicali, Mexico to Los Angeles for pro-bono treatment, and a new vehicle was unveiled at the event.
In alliance with UCLA Health, LuskinOIC stands as the largest provider of pediatric orthopedic care on the West Coast and receives more than 60,000 patient visits each year.
The Los Angeles Chargers received the Community Inspiration Award and Students Run LA was awarded the Power of Partnership Award.
Throughout the evening, there were inspiring stories of young patients who were brought back to good health and fitness at LuskinOIC, which has been around since 1911.
The institute has locations in downtown Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Westwood, and Calexico and treats the full spectrum of pediatric orthopedic disorders and injuries.
