Magic of Memories 2008
We can hardly believe this is our 5th annual Magic of memories event at the fabulous Islands Hotel in Newport Beach. Clearly for the weekend of April 26th, Newport was a more beautiful place being populated by all the soulful spirits of the Paul Mitchell Schools.
Every year we are humbled, awed and amazed by the Paul Mitchell future professionals and school owners, but this year was incredible. The team raised a crazy amount of money to benefit four charities, the Larry King Cardiac Foundation, Food 4 Africa, the Andrew Gomez Dream Foundation and the Leeza Gibbons Memory Foundation. All of us at the Leeza Gibbons Memory Foundation are deeply grateful because we use the money to fund our signature program Leeza’s Place. It is in fact because of this annual event, that we have been able to open our Leeza’s Place doors in so many locations across the nation and serve hundreds of thousands of caregivers in need. We went from one location during the first year of Magic of Memories and a handful of caregivers to now hundreds of thousands. And it’s because of the efforts of the Paul Mitchell Schools. To watch Winn, JP, Shawn and me announce the top fundraising schools, check out the video below.
Where do we begin with our thank you’s? Let’s start with the amazing and talented Winn Claybaugh. Winn we just adore you. If you weren’t lucky enough to be at the dinner where Winn made his singing debut, we’ve posted the video for you below! I sort of “persuaded” Winn to sing with Larry King’s wife Shawn King. I knew Winn would kill me because of the ambush, except for the fact that we used the opportunity to generate about $15,000 in funding. Winn, after hearing you sing “Smile” with Shawn, it was worth more than that. Our auctioneer for the evening, Alfie Silva, suggested that Winn singing become an annual event and I’m all for it!
Magic of Memories 2008 (continued)
JP Dejoria, one of the brightest lights on the planet, thank you for your leadership, your vision, your inspiration, your friendship and for this amazing opportunity. I always look forward to seeing the school owners, the team leaders and the future professionals all year long, but especially at Magic of Memories. It really is magical that you are honoring your mission to change the world and I couldn’t be more proud to have a small part in that.
A highlight for me came near the end of the night when Milwaukee’s Lori Paul had an emotional moment to share her success with getting a $30,000 grant to open a Leeza’s Place in her community. Lori reminded the audience of what JP often says, “We are affecting the lives of many people whom we will never meet.” Lori, those unnamed souls are forever grateful. To see her emotional moment, check out the video below.
Special Thank You from Dr. Jamie Huysman
Thank you to all the school owners, to all the future professionals and to the most magnificent administrative partners one could ever have. We became involved with the Magic of Memories 5 years ago when we were but a thought and a dream. At that time, we had one Leeza’s Place with just a few people coming in. And because of the commitment of this amazing group, this incredible supportive group of the Paul Mitchell Schools, and their work with us with their future professionals, today we now have 11 Leeza’s Places open or in development across the country, serving hundreds of thousands of caregivers within each community. It could never have happened if we didn’t have such an amazing partner in the Paul Mitchell Schools. From day one they have shown other sponsors what it would be like to be loyal, what it would be like to be connected and what it would be like to make all the sacrifices they have for those who may never know them but will always appreciate them. I thank you so much for all you do and every year we will continue to look forward to the most amazing event possible, Magic of Memories. From the bottom of my heart here at the Leeza Gibbons Memory Foundation and from all those across the country who facilitate caregiving through education empowerment and energy, we thank you. We thank you Winn, we thank you JP and we thank all of you at the Paul Mitchell Schools.
Check out another exclusive video clip from Magic of Memories below...