Community Corner
Extraordinary Lives Foundation's Comedy Night a Huge Success
Comedy Night at Festival of Arts Grounds Raises $155K in Support of Children's Mental Health & Wellness
Over 200 guests joined Extraordinary Lives Foundation’s (ELF) annual Comedy Night fundraising gala on October 19 at the scenic Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach. Supporters generated $155K for the nonprofit’s health and wellness programs for children. Featured comedians were headliner George Wang, Lowell Benjamin and comedian/host Frances Dilorinzo.
The evening began with a lively cocktail hour, silent auction and photos with Piggie Bear, the character that many ELF programs are based upon. Organization founder Mara James was joined by California State Treasurer Fiona Ma to welcome guests followed by videos and presentations. Just prior to the comedy show, a live auction highlight was an enthusiastic matching paddle raise gift by Dr. Kenneth James of $3,300.
“It takes an army as they say and I’m grateful for every individual who contributed to the success of our Comedy Night Fundraising Gala. While we shared many laughs at the event, we also shed awareness while generating funding for our children’s mental health and wellness programs,” said Extraordinary Lives Foundation founder and CEO Mara James.
An estimated one in five children have a diagnosable mental health condition and funds from the Comedy Night will support ELF’s Piggie Bear educational resources to increase children’s emotional development and their HUGS for Life Healing Center bridging the gap between mental health medical professionals and holistic healers.
Find out what's happening in Laguna Beachfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Major event sponsors included Dr. James Lin, Reproductive Fertility Center, Mara & Kenneth James, Adrienne & Rick Matros, Hoag Hospital Memorial Presbyterian and County Supervisor Lisa Bartlett.
For more information about ELF, visit https://www.elfempowers.org/.
About Extraordinary Lives Foundation (ELF)
Founded in 2015, ELF's mission is to improve children’s mental health and wellness and support families by providing awareness, educational tools, and resources. They encourage families to recognize symptoms, overcome the mental health stigma and reach out for help. Through prevention, early intervention and holistic treatment, they believe many of the major problems facing today’s youth can be transformed within a generation. The nonprofit organization extends healing tools to children in hospitals, foster care facilities, shelters, and military families and provide clinical resources and holistic healing to under-served children with mental health challenges.
