John Legend headlines the 2009 Samsung’s Four Seasons of Hope Gala

John Legend & Estelle
John Legend & Estelle

Had an absolutely amazing time at the Samsung 8th Annual Four Seasons of Hope Gala dinner, which featured a performance by the aptly named John Legend.  The Samsung Season of Hope is the corporation’s charitable wing, which supports community based- foundations and charities headed by leading sports legends and celebrities.  Some of these include:  John Legend’s Show Me Campaign, Joe Torre’s Safe at Home Foundation, the Dan Marino Foundation and Carlos Santana’s Milagro Foundation.

The evening started with cocktails and then moved on to a silent auction hosted by Regis Philbin.  One guest cracked me up when he was so disappointed that someone had outbid him on an item that he suggested that in the future, he should steal the sheet after bidding!  Finally met Kelis, who looked just lovely.  She is attached to one of my TV projects but I  have never met face-to-face because I have always dealt with her management in LA!  After dinner was served, there was a video presentation of the many different organizations that have received grants from the Four Seasons of Hope.

I was teary eyed when the inspiring story of guest of honor, Jason McElwain came on screen.  For those of you who may not remember him, Jason is autistic and was the manager for his high school basketball team.  In the last game of the season the coach decided to give him a shot in the game.  He played just four minutes and scored three pointer after three pointer finally totaling 20 points!  I saw this incredible story when it first aired 3 years ago and it always makes me a bit teary!  The 2009 Chalk Talk, a sports panel discussion, which preceded John Legend’s performance moderated by Bob Costas was a fun and quip filled affair.

Then it was on to the main event!  John Legend is as incredible in person as he is on record, which is a welcome surprise in this era of manufactured pop stars who can’t deliver onstage!  He ran through his early hits and then gave us a taste of his upcoming release.  Joined on stage by my Girl, Estelle for “No Other Love” off his latest release “Evolver”, Legend was awesome!

About Samsung’s Four Seasons of Hope

 

Samsung’s Four Seasons of Hope supports community-based foundations and charities headed by some of this country’s favorite sports legends. Samsung pledges to raise national awareness and funds for these outstanding charities and to find ways for others to make a difference in the lives of children and families.

Since its inception in 2002, Samsung’s Four Seasons of Hope and our Hope For Education programs have raised and provided more than $20 million to schools and the charities we support across the country.

Beginning in 2009, Samsung will advance these programs by combining the Hope for Education initiative within Samsung’s Four Seasons of Hope umbrella to expand their reach and success.   Over the past five years, Hope for Education has provided millions of dollars in Samsung technology and Microsoft software to more than 270 K-12 schools across the United States in an effort to reduce the technology gap within our education system. Our education initiative will continue this mission now as a part of Samsung’s Four Seasons of Hope, which will in addition support the charities involved in the program.

 

 

 

That Girl At the Party

I am a proud blogger of 11 years, Founder of Canappetit, PR person, Web and Cannabis Entrepreneur, Founder of the LTN Card, the Let Love Festival and the Henley Foundation, aunt to 12 and human to Bodhi and Yoko Rey

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