RUSSELL SIMMONS AND DANNY SIMMONS CELEBRATED 10^th ANNIVERSARY OF ART FOR LIFE EAST HAMPTON RAISING $1 MILLION FOR RUSH PHILANTHROPIC ARTS FOUNDATION

Brothers Russell, Danny, and Joseph “Rev. Run” Simmons celebrated Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation’s 10^th Anniversary ART FOR LIFE East Hampton Benefit, on Saturday, July 18^th, which raised nearly $1 million. The gala, held at the private East Hampton Estate of Russell Simmons, was hosted by CNN’s Soledad O’Brien and celebrated the creative energy of New York City youth. The evening also paid tribute to exemplary individuals in the community for their career achievements and philanthropic works. The 2009 Honorees included actress Vanessa Williams, Chief Executive Officer of Salamander Hospitality and co-founder of BET Sheila C. Johnson and Target. This year’s Featured Artist was Shepard Fairey, widely known for his iconic Obama HOPE image. Event Chairs included John Bartlett, Allison and Chip Brady, Tim Gunn, Stephen Hill, Donna Karan, Susan Taylor and David Tisch. Simon de Pury of Phillips de Pury & Co. served as the evening’s Auctioneer with music by DJ M.O.S. Star Jones led this year’s Rush Kids Auction where ART FOR LIFE guests pledged to sponsor a child for a year of Rush Education Programming. 112 kids were sponsored on Saturday night with pledges from many notable guests such as Gayle King, Kevin Liles, Event Chair Donna Karan Honoree Sheila C. Johnson and Russell himself, to name a few. Other guests of the evening included; Kyle MacLachlan (Desperate Housewives) & Desiree Gruber (Producer Project Runway), Jill Zarin & Countess Luann De Lesseps (Real Housewives of New York), Angela, Diggy, Russy & Justin Simmons, Dr. Mehmet Oz, Patricia Velasquez, Cheetah Girls Adrienne Bailon Tila Tequila, The Wire’s Jamie Hector, Eric B. and New York Governor David A. Paterson.

Launched in 2000, ART FOR LIFE East Hampton is Rush Philanthropic’s primary fundraising outreach to friends and supporters. Funds raised through ART FOR LIFE will provide support for many projects throughout the year dedicated to reaching out to New York City youth through the arts. In 2005, Rush Philanthropic expanded its ART FOR LIFE franchise with the first ART FOR LIFE Palm Beach and in 2008 introduced ART FOR LIFE Miami Beach. Outside of providing funding for Rush Philanthropic’s core programs, proceeds from ART FOR LIFE East Hampton and ART FOR LIFE Miami Beach also provide direct funding to nonprofit arts and education organizations throughout New York City and South Florida.

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