This month marks the fourth annual stateside Fireflies cycling ride, benefiting City of Hope hospital’s leukemia and lymphoma treatment and research for a cure. Over the past several years, the advertising professionals-led cycling enthusiasts have raised over $200,000 for charity. On Friday, Sept. 23, Fireflies commence their six-day, 550-mile ride from Goodby, Silverstein & Partners’ San Francisco office travelling down the California coast to The Mill’s Los Angeles office.
The Association of Independent Commercial Producers will mark the event at the AICP Show & Next Awards in San Francisco on Sept. 20 at The Autodesk Gallery. Riders will be on hand to provide information, answer any questions about Fireflies and to accept donations on behalf of City of Hope. Additionally, the evening will feature a signature Fireflies cocktail from Double Cross Vodka.
“The Fireflies Ride is emblematic of the great good so many in our industry dedicate themselves to,” said Matt Miller, president/CEO of AICP. “It’s really gratifying to see so many riders from different sectors of the advertising community come together for such an amazing cause, and to see so many of our member companies supporting their efforts. We’re thrilled that the AICP Show & Next Awards can provide a platform for awareness of the ride and the City of Hope.”
The Fireflies Friday morning send-off from Goodby Silverstein & Partners will include loyal supporters from the San Francisco advertising community. “Breakfast in our parking lot was never as fun as last year’s Fireflies send-off, and we are delighted to provide the launch pad (and bagels) again this year,” said Rich Silverstein, Goodby Silverstein co-founder and avid cyclist. “The Fireflies are an inspiring mix of ad industry competitors who ride together for a wonderful cause, and we are honored to do our part.”
“I am blown away by the support the advertising and production community has shown towards the ride,” added Bryan Farhy, executive producer, Believe Media. “All those who have supported us should be very very proud. If you know of someone who has had, or is battling leukemia or lymphoma, you know what this all means.”
In addition to the aforementioned (Goodby, The Mill, AICP, Believe Media), Fireflies has a long list of generous supporters including 180, Alive & Well, Deutsch L.A., Prettybird, RSA Films, Union and Zoic Studios, as well as cycling gear and accessories company Rapha.
The Fireflies stateside ride is a companion event to the original Fireflies ride of Europe. It began in 2001 with a ride from Geneva to Cannes over the French Alps. Generously supported by RSA Films and VFX company The Mill, the Fireflies Europe ride has raised nearly $2 million to benefit the Leuka Charity which raises funds for Hammersmith Hospital.
To donate, please visit: www.fireflieswest.com
Disney Pledges $15 million In L.A. Fire Aid As More Celebs Learn They’ve Lost Their Homes
The Pacific Palisades wildfires torched the home of "This Is Us" star Milo Ventimiglia, perhaps most poignantly destroying the father-to-be's newly installed crib.
CBS cameras caught the actor walking through his charred house for the first time, standing in what was once his kitchen and looking at a neighborhood in ruin. "Your heart just breaks."
He and his pregnant wife, Jarah Mariano, evacuated Tuesday with their dog and they watched on security cameras as the flames ripped through the house, destroying everything, including a new crib.
"There's a kind of shock moment where you're going, 'Oh, this is real. This is happening.' What good is it to continue watching?' And then at a certain point we just turned it off, like 'What good is it to continue watching?'"
Firefighters sought to make gains Friday during a respite in the heavy winds that fanned the flames as numerous groups pledged aid to help victims and rebuild, including a $15 million donation pledge from the Walt Disney Co.
More stars learn their homes are gone
While seeing the remains of his home, Ventimiglia was struck by a connection to his "This Is Us" character, Jack Pearson, who died after inhaling smoke in a house fire. "It's not lost on me life imitating art."
Mandy Moore, who played Ventimiglia's wife on "This Is Us," nearly lost her home in the Eaton fire, which scorched large areas of the Altadena neighborhood. She said Thursday that part of her house is standing but is unlivable, and her husband lost his music studio and all his instruments.
Mel Gibson's home is "completely gone," his publicist Alan Nierob confirmed Friday. The Oscar winner revealed the loss of his home earlier Friday while appearing on Joe Rogan's... Read More