Last night, SeriousFun Children’s Network hosted a star-studded Gala at Avery Fisher Hall in New York City to celebrate the legacy of founder, Paul Newman. SeriousFun Children’s Network is the international network of camps for children with serious illnesses and their families, founded by Newman in 1988. The Gala featured appearances and performances by George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks, Aloe Blacc, Renée Fleming, Carole King, Natalie Cole, Danny DeVito, David Letterman, Paul Shaffer and SeriousFun Campers.
The evening raised more than $1.5 million for SeriousFun Children’s Network, providing support for its 30 camps and programs around the world. Since its inception, SeriousFun camps and programs have served more than 518,000 children and families from more than 50 countries, always free of charge.
Highlights of the Gala included David Letterman and Paul Shaffer teaming up to present the Top 10 Songs from Paul Newman films, SeriousFun campers singing Katy Perry’s “Roar”, Tom Hanks reading a moving letter from a SeriousFun camper’s mother, Danny DeVito singing “Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head” with SeriousFun campers as a tribute to Paul Newman, and George Clooney joking that his wife’s “the smart one” after fumbling his words on stage.
“Today, there isn’t just one camp, but there’s a thriving community in the US, in Europe, in Israel,” Clooney explained. “Since 1988, these camps have brought over a half-million sick kids and their families from over five hun — over 50 countries. Five hundred countries would be too many. There aren’t actually that many…my wife’s the smart one.”
Check out photos from the event below:
Photo Credit: Getty Images for SeriousFun Children’s Network
