THE HELPING HAND OF LOS ANGELES, CEDARS-SINAI HOSTS 86th ANNIVERSARY MOTHER'S DAY LUNCHEON

LOS ANGELES, CA (May 12, 2015)-- The Helping Hand of Los Angeles, an 86-year-old support group of Cedars-Sinai, presented its annual Mother’s Day Luncheon, May 11, 2015 at The Beverly Hilton Hotel. The event honored multi-talented Emmy winner Ricki Lake and philanthropists Joyce Powell and daughters Linda, Nancy and Debbie with the “Mother of the Year” awards. Ellen Brooks, Helping Hand President, co-chaired, along with Nadine Glauberman, Bobbi Scherr and Betty Jane Bruck.

Actress, comedienne, singer and author Lori Alan emceed the event, which included a fashion show by Melrose Alley presents EMMELLE New York, and a luxury boutique, with a portion of the proceeds benefitting The Helping Hand of Los Angeles.

Helping Hand president Ellen Brooks welcomed guests, noting that 2015 marked the organization’s 86th year. “We are the oldest support group at Cedars-Sinai and have raised over $23 million for the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology,” said Brooks. “Our group is deeply committed to funding research in maternal fetal medicine, gynecological oncology, reproductive medicine and many other women’s health concerns.”

Special awards were presented to Bobbie Handel (“The Golden Hand Award” for outstanding dedication to the organization) and Lorraine Shapiro (“The Edith Strauss Award” for exceptional service and dedication as a volunteer in the Helping Hand Gift Shop.)

A highlight of the afternoon was the presentation of a check for $500,000 to the Cedars-Sinai Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, representing profits made at the Helping Hand Gift Shop. Dr. Sarah Kilpatrick, Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Art Ochoa, Senior Vice-President of Community Relations and Development at Cedars-Sinai, accepted the check on behalf of the department.

Event host Lori Alan praised the work of Helping Hand and the over $23 million raised, garnering both laughter and applause when she noted that “what I find interesting is that all of this financial support happens by doing one of my favorite pastimes…shopping!”

“2015 Mother of the Year Award” recipient Ricki Lake is a pop culture icon on a mission to change the way society views birth. Lake’s award-winning 2007 documentary, The Business of Being Born is often hailed as the “must see” film among mothers-to-be. Lake acknowledged that the birth of her two boys “started me on this quest…to make sure women know about the different birthing options. What I set out to do was educate women. The point I (also) want to make is that motherhood, just like giving birth, is not about finding the one right answer. There are infinite right answers. Motherhood is about having the patience to explore what answer feels right for you.”

Larry and Rick Powell presented the “2015 Mother of the Year Award” to wife and mother, respectively, Joyce Powell along with daughters Nancy and Linda and daughter-in-law and Rick Powell’s wife, Debbie. All are an integral part of the Los Angeles philanthropic landscape, longtime supporters of Cedars-Sinai and active on the Board of Governors.

The Helping Hand of Los Angeles, founded in 1929, supports the Cedars-Sinai Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. The group has raised more than $23 million, helping to establish the Gilda Radner Ovarian Cancer Detection Program and funding two endowed chairs at Cedars-Sinai, including The Helping Hand of Los Angeles Endowed Chair in Obstetrics and Gynecology helmed by Sarah Kilpatrick, MD, PhD.

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