Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA is celebrating its 16th annual Mattel Party on the Pier benefiting Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA on September 27th, 2015 at Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier. Sponsored by Mattel, Inc., the fun-filled day for the entire family includes unlimited rides and carnival games stocked with prizes donated by Mattel; an exciting silent auction area, hosted by Toys ‘R Us, with items in travel, sports, entertainment, food & wine, fashion and art – such as Dodger dugout seats, private catered dinners, tickets to Jennifer Lopez show in Las Vegas, a Deer Valley getaway and movie premiere tickets; and a VIP area hosted by the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation featuring lunch generously donated by Wolfgang Puck Catering.
For the first time, Mattel Party on the Pier will be honoring an exceptional individual with the fitting title of Doctor of Joy. The 2015 honoree is 4-time Emmy-winning director David Silverman, best known for directing numerous episodes of the animated TV series “The Simpsons,” as well as The Simpsons Movie. Silverman will be awarded a Doctor of Joy lab coat by Dr. Sherin Devaskar, physician-in-chief of Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA, in recognition of the joy he’s brought to kids of all ages through his work in comedy. Silverman was involved with “The Simpsons” series from the very beginning, animating all of the original short Simpsons cartoons that aired on “The Tracey Ullman Show.” In 2012, Silverman directed the theatrical short “The Longest Daycare” starring Maggie Simpson. The short was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film.
Sarah Michelle Gellar will also support the event for a 2nd year. Best known for her starring role in the long-running television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer as well as movies including I Know What you Did Last Summer, Cruel Intentions, and Scooby Doo, she joins Disney stars, Los Angeles Dodgers’ players and other celebrities, who will sign autographs, take pictures with guests and help out in the game booths.
"The Mattel Party on the Pier is our annual, signature fundraising event and a truly special day for the children who experience our care, their families, and all who attend. For the past 15 years, the Mattel Party on the Pier has generously supported and made a real difference in our ability to provide world-class care for children," said Dr. Sherin Devaskar, physician-in-chief of Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA.
In 2014, Mattel Party on the Pier raised more than $830,000 for Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA, and to date has raised over $7.5 million dollars. Last year’s net proceeds opened clinical trials for children with cancer and provided access to new therapies. Funds were also directed toward research on autism-associated epilepsy and treatments to improve immune function for children who have undergone chemotherapy and bone marrow transplants.
For the 2nd consecutive year, Mattel Party on the Pier will be produced by Santa Monica-based YourBASH! The event is expected to once again attract a sellout crowd with general admission tickets available at $150 for adults and $75 for children ages 3 to 12; children under 3 are admitted free. All net proceeds benefit Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA.
To purchase tickets or for more information on the event, please visit www.partyonthepier.ucla.edu
To learn more about Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA, please visit www.uclahealth.org/mattel.
Follow the "Mattel Party on the Pier" conversation on Twitter at @MCHUCLA and #MattelPOP.
