Leeza's Blog -- What's On My Mind

Paul Mitchell Schools Raise $1.6 Million to Help Support Eight Featured Charities

(May 4, 2011) Just when you thought it could not soar any higher, Paul Mitchell Schools’ Annual Magic of Memories Fundraising Event set a new record this year! With Dolly Parton, Betty White, Donny and Marie Osmond and me cheering on the top 10 Paul Mitchell Schools beauty professionals, Winn Claybaugh and John Paul DeJoria announced that the group had raised $1.6 million dollars! That is a stunning amount of money all raised by young beauty pros across the country with hearts of gold.
 

In the Paul Mitchell culture, you are inspired by the belief that we all must take care of each other, our animals and the planet. I am blown away by the passion and commitment which the schools bring to this event each year. That huge number raised will support eight charities featured this year, including the Leeza Gibbons Memory Foundation and our work at Leeza’s Place. 
 

Favorite moments included Donny Osmond singing “Puppy Love” to Betty White while in an embrace; Marie Osmond singing a heartfelt tribute to her son Michael (who died last year), and Dolly Parton doing an impromptu acapella version of “9 to 5″! It was a spectacular night of big stars with even bigger hearts.
 

It all began 8 years ago with the Andrew Gomez Dream Foundation and now it is a major humanitarian movement! I am so impressed and inspired by the schools and by the future beauty professionals as well as the team of leaders and pros who raised the money! When Mike Helm, President of Andrew Gomez Dream Foundation, took to the stage, everyone was chocked up…so touched by the emotion of this man on a mission.
 

Thank you so much to Winn, Angus, JP, the celebrities and the entire Paul Mitchell Schools family!
  

Here’s more from the Paul Mitchell Schools…
 

Donny Osmond serenades Betty White at Paul Mitchell Schools gala event

Donny Osmond left the stage and came into the audience to sing “Puppy Love” to Betty White at the Paul Mitchell Schools’ Magic of Memories Dinner. Both were there on behalf of charitable organizations they represent. Now in its 8th year, the schools’ annual “FUNraising” campaign raised over $1.6 million for their nonprofit Andrew Gomez Dream Foundation and six other charities. Donny and Marie Osmond entertained the crowd and represented Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Betty White was there on behalf of Morris Animal Foundation. Also on hand were Dolly Parton for her Imagination Library; Leeza Gibbons, who co-hosted the event for the 8th straight year on behalf of the Leeza Gibbons Memory Foundation; and John Paul DeJoria, CEO and Chairman of John Paul Mitchell Systems, representing Food 4 Africa. Fran Drescher was unable to attend, but her Cancer Schmancer Foundation rounds out the organizations benefiting from this year’s campaign. Learn more at www.paulmitchellschoolsfunraising.org