Celebrities Step Out to Raise Awareness of Foster Care through Hillsides Foster Soles

One of our signature events is Hillsides Foster Soles, an online auction of celebrity autographed shoes and head shots. Kicking off the shoe auction is Elton John, Mark Wahlberg, Jessica Simpson, among other celebrities. With the generous support from Bar Celona in Pasadena, we host a kickoff party to launch the auction. On Wednesday, April 27, guests will have an opportunity to mingle with celebrities, including Dr. Drew Pinsky, who is the event’s honorary chair.

The Hillsides Foster Soles Committee, spearheaded by Karen Tanji, our board member and owner of Bar Celona, has worked diligently in tapping into their contacts in the entertainment industry.  We are excited to have additional celebrities participating in the shoe auction like the Cast of Grey’s Anatomy, John Stamos, Denzel Washington, Seth Green, Mario Lopez, Sugar Ray Leonard, George Lopez, Gabriel Iglesias, Jane Kaczmarek, Billy Bob Thornton, Tim Allen, Jimmy Kimmel, Joan Rivers, Larry King, Dr. Drew Pinksy, Susan Pinsky, Dave Koz, Charles Barkley, Robert Horry, Billy Zane, Mike Epps, Marlee Matlin, Cast from Burn Notice, Chelsea Handler, Markie Post, Stan Smith, Mark Harmon, Pam Dawber, Kate Linder, Edie Falco, Rona Barrett, Kim Coates, Kaitlin Olson, Devon Werkheiser, Lauralee Bell, Jerry Penacoli, Natalie Morales, Peter Facinelli, Cesar Millan, Emily Valentine, Angela Bassett, Chuy Bravo, Jon M. Chu, Jack Wagner, Pauley Perrette, Melissa Rivers, Samantha Harris, Cast from The Bold & The Beautiful and many more.

Without the support from the committee, our donors and their contacts in the entertainment industry, we could not have an event of this caliber. We are so appreciative of the help we are receiving in getting shoes and celebrities to attend. I attended the event for the first time last year and, simply said, this event is fun. Bar Celona definitely provides an enjoyable ambience as the setting for Hillsides Foster Soles.

Guests who bid on April 27 will get a chance to vie for celebrity shoes with online visitors until the auction’s closing date, May 16. This year we are partnering with www.BiddingForGood.com to host the auction. The auction will be available for viewing on April 27 at 6:00 p.m. at http://www.biddingforgood.com/fostersoles.

Held during Foster Care Awareness Month, celebrities, guests at Bar Celona, and bidders of Hillsides Foster Soles can be assured that putting their best foot forward ensures a better pathway for foster care children. In Los Angeles alone, there are 32,000 children receiving child welfare services. Nationwide, 500,000 children and youth are in foster care. Together, we can raise awareness of foster care issues that these vulnerable children and youth face each day. Help make a difference to all those we serve in Los Angeles. Become a bidder, attend the event, or donate to this worthwhile cause.

Hillsides Foster Soles 2009 was awarded national winner of the PR News Non-Profit PR Awards in “Event PR,” a finalist in “PR on a Shoestring,” and Best of Pasadena, from Pasadena Magazine. Learn more about Hillsides Foster Soles and how you can attend by purchasing tickets to this event.