Nearly $300,000 was raised Saturday night for the Malibu Foundation for Youth and Families benefiting the Boys and Girls Club of Malibu Teen Center at what was billed as “A Night of a Million Laughs” hosted by Richard and Liane Weintraub at their Malibu estate.
Comedians Billy Crystal, Paul Reiser and, as Master of Ceremonies Daniel Stern called him, “noncomedian” Mike Scully, writer and producer of “The Simpsons,” entertained more than 150 guests while they dined on a three-course dinner provided by chef Jennifer Naylor. The four funnymen then conducted a live auction, which added to the proceeds raised from ticket sales and a silent auction.
Supporters such as Keely and Pierce Brosnan, Lyndie Benson and Kenny G., Ron and Kelly Meyer, Monique L’hullier, Cindy Landon, Linda Thompson, Nichole and John McGinley, and Steve Tisch were among the notable guests who gathered for cocktails on a patio overlooking the ocean before heading for dinner and laughs.
Scully set the tone for the night, thanking everyone for gathering together to support the teens of Malibu, because they’re out there on the “highway right now in their BMWs without GPS systems.”
However, as Stern noted, the funds raised that night were truly going toward a good cause, to offer services to Malibu’s youth, who have limited resources for recreation and guidance within the city. Kasey Earnst, MFYF chief professional officer, said that while approximately $297,000 was raised from Saturday’s event, it was “only a little more than a quarter of our overall budget and we need to raise a great deal more in order to sustain the club.”
The MFYF is currently looking for a location to build a larger, permanent home for the teen center.
The Malibu Foundation for Youth and Families is a nonprofit organization founded 10 years ago to benefit support services for Malibu’s youth, and founded the Boys and Girls Club Teen Center, called The Club. Stern has taken over the reins from wife Laure as president of MFYF. The two, among other Malibu citizens, are founding members of the foundation.
Big ticket items auctioned Saturday night included a chance to be a Robb Report “Car of the Year” Judge, donated by Bill Curtis, publisher of the Robb Report, which went for $30,000, and a four-night stay for up to eight people at the Casa Fiesta in Zihuatanejo, Mexico, a 20,000 square foot home, donated by J. Ben Bourgeois. The vacation package, which included a chef, housekeeper, chauffer and more, went for $18,000.
Contributing to the evening’s venue were Naylor, George and Karen Rosenthal of Malibu Estate Vineyards, and Susan White of Whitespeed, who donated their services and/or resources.