Stars Align on the Blue Carpet to Honor and Support UNICEF

STARS ALIGN ON THE BLUE CARPET To HONOR AND SUPPORT UNICEF

Setting aside the red carpet tradition of celebrity affairs, Los Angeles recently rolled out the United Nations blue carpet for the biennial UNICEF Ball. Hundreds of celebrities, philanthropists and community leaders came together to celebrate and extend the work of UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Emergency Fund, as it seeks to highlight the vulnerabilities of underprivileged children, protect their rights, improve their health, and expand their educational opportunities

The black tie ball was held in Beverly Hills and emceed by Angie Harmon, "Rizzoli & Isles" actress and a UNICEF Ambassador. Headlining entertainment at the ball were "The Company Men" and Grammy Award-winning vocalist Mariah Carey, who gave special performances of songs "Always Be My Baby," "We Belong Together" and her signature song "Hero," included in the set to honor UNICEF and the children it seeks to help.

Among the special guests at the ball was University of Southern California President C.L. Max Nikias, who was honored with UNICEF's "Spirit of Compassion" Award for his leadership of USC's efforts to shape the minds of a generation of students "to be philanthropic, globally minded and informed of the issues that are affecting the world's children."

Accepting the award on behalf of the entire USC community, President Nikias spoke about the nature of compassion. "Only compassion," he observed, "allows us to be fully human. It is compassion that connects to another person's pain. It is compassion that compels to action. It is compassion that gives reason to hope. This is why UNICEF's commitment is one of the heart, to bring about a world in which every child can thrive."

Also honored at the ball was football (soccer) legend David Beckham, who received the Danny Kaye Humanitarian Leadership Award. Celebrating the end of his first decade as a UNICEF Ambassador, Beckham also launched "7: The David Beckham UNICEF Fund," named for his football jersey number and designated to protect and advocate for disadvantaged children around the world.

"I know this town is obsessed with blockbuster superheroes," observed Elton John as he presented the award to Beckham, "but tonight we're honoring someone I know to be a bona fide hero." Beckham acknowledged that he was humbled to receive the award, "but what is more important is what comes from these events. This is where money is raised, and this is where a light is shined on the most difficult circumstances that happen in our lifetime."

Presenting sponsor for the event was Louis Vuitton international Fashion house, which has announced a fund raising partnership "to support UNICEF's efforts to help reach all children and especially to provide the essential interventions required to help protect and save children's lives and to ensure the rights of all children, everywhere."

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