Leeza’s Place is now coast to coast!  Dr. Jamie Huysman, my co-founder and friend, and I are still amazed at our latest two openings.  The Circle of Care Leeza’s Place in Sherman Oaks and the Assistance League Leeza’s Place in Hollywood bring our total up to six!  I call it my “dream comes true, times two.” Finally, we are able to offer our message in my own backyard.  It really was a powerful weekend. 

I can’t help but think back to a few years ago, sitting on the beach in Miami with Jamie Huysman (Executive Director) and Suzanne Isa (VP of Communications) as we contemplated how we might launch our Memory Foundation.  It’s hard to believe how far we’ve come with Jamie’s energy and leadership, always guiding our path; and Suzanne’s professionalism and protection always nurturing our growth.  The three of us were the initial members of what Jamie calls our “spiritual street gang.” Jamie you really are like my twin soul and Suzanne, you’re like the big sister I never had.  I love you both.

We owe a huge debt of gratitude for the generosity of some amazing supporters and new friends who showed up, donated their time, services and products to help us have a memorable launch.  Congratulations to our newest care advocates, Stefanie Elkins and Ivan Hall, along with our partners who worked extremely hard to pull this off.  Vincent Arcuri and Bobby Xydis deserve to be knighted or something for the entire miracle they pulled off!  Thanks guys, once again for all you do.  Our home office foundation team is the best; special thanks to Verma, Zuen and Charelle for helping to spread our message year round.  Donna Deutchman and Susan Blatt have always said, “What can I do to help?” and then proceed to fix problems we never even knew we had.  Thanks for mentoring me girls! Everyone was raving about how beautiful our space is in both Sherman Oaks and Hollywood and that is thanks to the extraordinary talents of Paul Hecht!  All the stars coming through wanted to hire him to be their personal designer.  Fantastic job, Paul...and thanks for hooking us up with the dvd/vcr too!  One of our newest angels is Yael Wyte who offered her experience and heart to the process (along with assorted tasks like stuffing envelopes and hammering nails)!  Lee Wallman and Anita Sen were like a tornado that couldn’t be stopped; getting our message out and getting the community to come out and support us is fun, but hard work!  Lee and Anita are pros whose publicity and pr talents have elevated our openings.  Holly Tyrer and her team of volunteers remind us of how important one person can be and how strong a chain of love can hold.  As always, thanks Holly!

So that I can share the experience with all of you, here’s a brief recap:

Assistance League Leeza’s Place
Hollywood, CA

Hollywood has a huge heart and the stars were on our red carpet in a huge show of support for caregivers and their loved ones struggling with memory disorders.  Take a look at the celebrities who helped us launch our spectacular Hollywood location at the historic Assistance League.

Victor Garber is well known for his action-oriented steps to fight Alzheimer’s disease which recently took his mother’s life.  Thank you, Victor, for your example and your kind heart.  Sharon Lawrence has been there for us since the beginning.  I loved sharing it with you Sharon and look forward to working with you.  Anne Marie Johnson is not only a great star, but she has lived the quintessential caregiver story.  Anne Marie’s passion and intelligence will take this cause and set it on fire.  The president of the Screen Actor's Guild Alan Rosenberg was a tremendous boost to our efforts with his presence.  Brenda Strong from “Desperate Housewives” brought her charm and beauty to our event along with her desire to make a difference.  Constance Marie from “The George Lopez Show” was juggling paparazzi along with giving intelligent insight about the needs of caregivers.  My friend Dayna Devon and her fantastic husband Dr. Brent Moelleken were there with love and support, as always.  And Dee Wallace???  What can I say about this amazing woman who came to BOTH of our openings!  We love Dee; she walks her talk for sure.  So many stars; so much power; so much opportunity for change and help.  Thanks to Ty Treadway, Nick Verreos, Louis Van Amstel, Toni Trucks, Leslie Elliard, Suzanne Sena & Cheryl Burke.  You brought your star power and that magic will last a long time!

A special thanks to Hollywood Mayor Johnny Grant who has helped me learn how to give and then give some more.  Plus Phil Quattararo from EMI, who has taken all my phone calls, answered all my e-mails and still gives me a hug when I see him.  Phil, we have to make it better for your mother, my mother and all the others who are slipping from our grasp.

I wanted Anna Nalick to perform at Leeza’s Place the first time I heard her sing “Breathe”.  That’s what we encourage our caregivers to do…to exhale and know that you are not alone.  Anna was spellbinding with her talent and warmth.  Her performance was memorable and magical.

Carrie Anne Inaba might judge the celebrities on “Dancing with the Stars”, but she had only praise for the dancers who took the floor with her to announce our development of a dance empowers program at Leeza’s Place.  Carrie Anne was stunningly beautiful and is a sensitive, compassionate force to help caregivers and the newly diagnosed people with memory disorders get the stress-relieving benefits of dance.

Senator Richard Alarcon, Jeanne Lee, Sinda Martin and Tony Grijalva told their stories as the crowd listened attentively.  The senator knows his challenge firsthand.  His mother is struggling, but it was the radiant Jeanne Lee who captivated the crowd.  She has been diagnosed with a memory disorder and was able to tell us all first hand what it’s like to live with memories and moments being stolen and clouded by the thief known as Alzheimer’s disease.  Jeanne’s beautiful face is the symbol of an empowered, impassioned woman whose life is making such difference.

Our deep gratitude goes out to Pat Spears and Sandy Doerschlag of the Assistance League.  There is no end to how wonderful these ladies have been. What a blessing.  I said at the opening that "this is the house that John Tripp built".  It's true, John started the ball rolling and we are so grateful.

Special thanks to all our corporate sponsors of the Assistance League Leeza’s Place:  ALLPOINT Healthcare, PacifiCare, Baker Furniture, Blackburst Productions, Creative Connections, KB Home Inland Valley Division, Linoleum City, Photowow.com–the store, and Xyron.

And special appreciation to all those who helped kick off the official opening of Leeza’s Place with a star-studded, spectacular reception beginning with Randy Fuhrman Events who created a picture-perfect evening.  Thank you Randy & his fabulous assistant Elaine!  Thanks to Ralph Pipes & SEM, WireImage, 1-800-Flowers, Christi McCaverty, Backstage Creations, Barguyz4you, Siku Glacier Ice Vodka, FUZE Beverages, Herzog Wine Cellars, Kiss My Bundt Bakery, and Trader Joe’s.