The Help Group hosted its 19^th Annual Teddy Bear Ball to benefit children with autism and other special needs and presented its Help Humanitarian Award to Mark Greenberg, President & Chief Executive Officer of EPIX. The gala event took place on Monday, March 6 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, International Ballroom.

Gala Chairs for the event included Bob Bakish, Gary Barber, Kevin Beggs, Micahel Burns, Jon Feltheimer, Brad Grey, Mike Hopkins, Michael Kassan and Sandra Stern. Gala Co-Chairs included Dick Costello, Jamie & Chris McGurk, David Salzman and Ken Solomon.

Tom Papa, one of the top comedic voices in the country, emceed the event and delighted the more than 500 guests with highlights from his EPIX original stand-up special, “Human Mule”.

The evening featured a special performance by the highly acclaimed, American hip hop recording artist, actor and film producer Common. Common sang his and John Legend’s Academy and Golden Globe award-winning song from the movie Selma, “Glory” accompanied by The Help Group Children’s Choir that received a standing ovation.

Gary H. Carmona, Help Group Board Chair and Dr. Barbara Firestone, President & CEO, welcomed guests and thanked everyone for their generosity and friendship. Louis Price, former lead singer of The Temptations and Help Group Choir kicked off the evening with the Grammy Award-winning song, “Can’t Stop the Feeling.”

Throughout the evening, longtime Help Group Board Members and Gala Co-Chairs Dick Costello, Chris McGurk and Ken Solomon each spoke about their personal commitment in supporting the children of The Help Group.

Dr. Susan Berman, Help Group Chief Operating Officer and Dick Costello introduced the Opportunity Fund and one of the fund’s recipients, student speaker Alondra. Alondra shared her story of resilience and is looking forward to attending college in the fall. The Opportunity Fund helps to support young people facing challenging circumstances and provides them with greater opportunities to create a brighter future.

Mike Hopkins, Hulu CEO, Gala Chair and 2015 Help Humanitarian Award recipient and Ken Solomon welcomed Mark to the family of Help Group honorees.

Dr. Ernest Wilson, Walter Annenberg Chair and Dean of the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism at USC, introduced his friend and colleague, Mark Greenberg.

In presenting Mark with the Help Humanitarian Award, Barbara and Gary saluted Mark for his humanitarian spirit and his commitment that is helping to build brighter futures for the children of the Help Group. In a heartfelt tribute to Mark, the children’s choir sang, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”.

We are most grateful to our remarkable honoree, Mark Greenberg, and to everyone who joined us for this time-honored celebration of the humanitarian spirit and the beauty and potential of the children.