charity events in Los Angeles

Photo Credit: Getty Images for Delta Air LinesPhoto Credit: Chris Weeks/Getty Images

‘Tis the season to be giving! These four charity events in Los Angeles truly showcased the best of LA’s philanthropic community…and made it very certain that all involved will definitely not be receiving coal in their stockings.

Pharrell Williams and UNIQLO hosted a “A Warm Gesture” charity shopping event on Dec. 9 at UNIQLO’s Beverly Center store. Partnering with the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), the event provided an unforgettable shopping experience for children in need this holiday season. Each child was given shopping tokens to shop with, and store personnel on hand to help kids select their favorite UNIQLO items.

Photo Credit: Getty Images for Make-A-Wish

Make-A-Wish Greater Los Angeles  celebrated the chapter’s second annual Wishing Well Winter Gala at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel on Dec. 3. Hosted by Randy Jackson, the magical evening featured a cocktail reception, dinner and awards honoring retiring LA Galaxy star Landon Donovan with the Shining Star Award, Wells Fargo with the Philanthropic Leader award, Saban Brands with the Power of a Wish Award, and Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA with the Medical Visionary Award. Proceeds from the gala went to the support of wish kids.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

The Children’s Defense Fund-California hosted its 24^th Annual Beat the Odds Awards honoring Chase Moore, Elizabeth Lopez, Sequoia Canada, Timothy Walker, and Zachary Byrge – five incredible Los Angeles area high school students who “beat the odds” on Dec. 4. Children’s Defense Fund President Marian Wright Edelman and Hollywood’s supporters celebrated these high school “stars” for overcoming tremendous personal obstacles in order to achieve academic excellence. Charitable attendees included co-chairs Katie McGrath & J.J. Abrams, Carol & Frank Biondi, Laphonza Butler, Ruth-Ann Huvane, Kevin Huvane, Katie Sharer & Mark Mullen, and Liza & Conan O’Brien, were joined by John Boyega, Jordana Brewster, Matt Barnes, Greg Grunberg, Tim Guinee, Attorney General Kamala Harris, Jeffrey Katzenberg, Aja Naomi King, Mary McCormack, Kelly McCreary, Chris Messina, Kevin Nealon, Ahna O’Reilly, Brad & Kimberly Williams Paisley and Elisabeth Shue.

Photo Credit: Getty Images for Delta Air Lines

100 children from Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and P.S. ARTS’ students from Beethoven Elementary School boarded a chartered Delta 737 at Los Angeles International’s Terminal 5 and taxied down the runway to the “North Pole” – a LAX hangar transformed into a holiday winter wonderland on Dec. 10 during Delta Air Lines’ 4th annual “Holiday in the Hangar” event.  Upon arrival, the children were greeted by special guests including Modern Family Actress Sarah Hyland, platinum recording artist and actress Jordin Sparks, Santa Claus and his elves; DreamWorks Animation characters Toothless (from How To Train Your Dragon 2) and the Penguins of Madagascar; the Coca-Cola Polar Bear; LA Lakers alum A.C. Green; and LA Kings’ Bailey mascot, Ice Crew, and Chariot Staff. Throughout the afternoon, children were treated to holiday activities, games, music and crafts and also had the opportunity to practice their keyboard and drum skills at a GRAMMY Museum interactive music station.