What: Founded in 2001, the Los Angeles Police Protective League’s (LAPPL) Eagle & Badge Foundation will host a gala to celebrate 10 years of the foundation’s commitment to supporting Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers, their families and the children in the communities they protect and serve. In addition, the evening will pay tribute to the Lakers Organization, including owner Jerry Buss and family, and Coach Mike Brown; Daren and Evan Metropoulos, of C. Dean Metropoulos & Company, of the iconic Pabst Brewing Company; and one of Hollywood’s best-known couples, Warren Beatty and Annette Bening.
When and Where: Tuesday, August 30 at 5:30 p.m. - The JW Marriott, L.A. Live
Who: Leaders from local businesses, law enforcement, entertainment and politics who will gather to pay tribute to the honorees and the 2010 LAPD Medal of Valor winners, include:
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
LAPD Police Chief Charlie Beck
Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti
Los Angeles Councilmember Dennis P. Zine
Los Angeles City Attorney Carmen Trutanich
LAPPL President Paul M. Weber
Los Angeles County Sheriff Leroy D. Baca
United States Congressman Dana Rohrabacher
CBS Sports Director Jim Hill
Eagle & Badge Foundation President Arthur M. Kassel
KNX Reporter Frank Mottek
John Rockwell
Norm Crosby
Thomas V. Girardi, Esq.
For additional information on attendees, including the Eagle & Badge Board of Directors and the 2011 Gala Dinner Committee, please visit www.EagleandBadgeFoundation.com/news.
Additional Information: In recognition of their impact on the community and remarkable legacies, each of the following honoree will receive an In the Line of Duty — Legacy Award.
The Buss family name has been synonymous with the Lakers since Jerry Buss bought the team in 1979. With daughter, Jeanie, and son, Jim, both on the Lakers’ executive team, and with several other family members strongly involved with the NBA championship-winning organization, the Busses have helped the L.A. Lakers become one of the most charitable sports teams in the country.
Promoting the importance of living a healthy lifestyle and supporting youth in the community through education, athletics and community outreach have been longstanding priorities for the Lakers and the Buss family. Lakers Read to Achieve and Lakers Fit for Life are among the numerous community events and programs that the team and its owners have helped create and support. In addition, Jerry Buss donated $7.5 million to the University of Southern California’s Department of Chemistry in January 2008 to fund two endowed chairs and an endowed scholarship for chemistry graduate students.
In addition, the Lakers’ new coach, Mike Brown, will be recognized. Brown, a former NBA analyst for ESPN and head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, is the 22nd head coach in the Lakers franchise history. He led Cleveland to the 2007 NBA finals and went 272-138 with the Cavaliers, becoming the most successful coach in that franchise’s history while compiling the league’s best regular-season record in each of his last two seasons. It is with this record that Brown comes to Los Angeles prepared to help the Lakers carve a continued path to success.
*****************
Daren and Evan Metropoulos, of C. Dean Metropoulos & Company, will be at the helm of operating and reinventing Pabst Brewing Company, and are relocating the all-American, iconic brand to Southern California this summer. Pabst is currently the largest and only traditional brewing company that is still American-owned, and Evan and Daren are committed to returning this venerable group of historic Pabst brands, whose U.S. roots go back to the 1840s, to their earlier glory. The Metropoulos brothers have an extensive background of working with their father, Chairman and CEO Dean Metropoulos, in creating and recreating some of America’s top brand names in the food industry, including Stella Foods, Ghirardelli Chocolate Co. and Mumm and Perrier Jouet Champagnes, to name a few. One of the top entrepreneurial and philanthropic families in America, the Metropoulos family is prominent in the Greek-American community.
*****************
Warren Beatty is a multi-nominated, Oscar-winning movie star who has appeared in some of Hollywood’s most noted films. As an accomplished actor, writer, producer and director, his credits include Reds, Heaven Can Wait, Bonnie & Clyde, Dick Tracy and Shampoo. Annette Bening is an acclaimed, multi-Oscar-nominated, Golden Globe-winning actress who has appeared in a number of hit films, including American Beauty, Being Julia, The Grifters, Running with Scissors and the highly acclaimed The Kids Are All Right.
Together, they support countless community projects and arts organizations, including the Actors Fund of America, the Motion Picture & Television Fund, TreePeople, Operation Smile and Clothes Off Our Back. In addition, Bening sits on the California Arts Council and Beatty is on the Scripps Research Institute’s board of trustees. Both are currently in preproduction for upcoming film projects.
The red-carpet evening will also feature silent and live auctions, a cocktail reception, a gourmet dinner and surprise entertainment.
The 10th Anniversary Gala is sponsored in part by underwriting sponsor Pabst Brewing Company and by the LAPPL and JW Marriott @ L.A. Live, among others.
For more information on the Foundation, the gala including ticket and sponsorship opportunities, or this year’s honorees, please go to www.EagleandBadgeFoundation.com or call (818) 994-4661.
Media information: Members of the media who wish to attend should RSVP to (818) 994-4661.
About the LAPPL
Formed in 1923, the LAPPL represents the more than 9,900 dedicated and professional sworn members of the LAPD. The LAPPL serves to advance the interests of LAPD officers through legislative and legal advocacy, political action and education.
About the Eagle & Badge Foundation
The mission of the Eagle & Badge Foundation is to provide support to Los Angeles police officers, their families and the children in the communities they serve.
Contact: Eric Rose, (805) 624-0572, or Paul Haney, (626) 755-4759.
