LOS ANGELES, CA, July 29, 2015 /24-7PressRelease/ -- ACT Today! (Autism Care & Treatment Today!), a national non-profit organization whose mission is to provide access to immediate care and treatment to children with autism, announces it will honor comedian/actor/television host Howie Mandel at its 10th Annual Denim, Diamonds & Stars gala on Sunday, October 25, 2015 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Westlake Village, Calif. Over 500 guests are expected to attend the red carpet fundraiser, including corporate leaders, celebrities, families impacted by autism and other autism supporters.
"It is a pleasure for us to recognize Howie Mandel for his unwavering support and help in spreading awareness of autism and ACT Today!," says ACT Today!'s executive director Nancy Alspaugh-Jackson.
The red carpet fundraiser will include a cocktail reception, silent and live auctions, dinner program with surprise celebrity presenters, live entertainment and special tribute to the 2015 honorees.
Mandel will join fellow 2015 honorees: ACTivist award recipient, actor Max Burkholder ("Parenthood"), Visionary award recipient and Grammy winner/philanthropists Shawn and Sharhonda Stockman (Boyz II Men), and Golden Cowgirl award recipient, Hollywood talent agent Sydel Lisi.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in every 68 children in America is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, making it the fastest growing developmental disability in America. It is also considered the most underfunded.
Proceeds from the 10th Annual Denim, Diamonds & Stars fundraiser will make it possible for ACT Today! to continue providing families access to Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, medical care, autism service dogs, social skills programs, assistive technology, and even safety equipment like helmets for the self-injurious children, as well as fencing for those who wander.
This year's sponsors (as of July 24, 2015) include: Raiman Rocks, Tolman & Wiker Insurance Services, LLC, Shape of Behavior, UBS; Nevers, Palazzo, Packard, Wildermuth & Wynner, PC; Vin Di Bona Productions, City National Bank, Rage Models and Westlake Magazine.
For more information on ACT Today!'s 10th Annual Denim, Diamonds & Stars, visit http://www.denimanddiamondsforautism.net.
About Howie Mandel
Emmy Award-nominated Howie Mandel has remained a constant force in show business for over 30 years, in all aspects ranging from his own production company, ALEVY PRODUCTIONS, to TV Host, comedian, author and more. Currently Howie serves as the judge on NBC's summer hit series, America's Got Talent. In the TV world, Howie has impacted TV culture and remains a well-recognized figure in the acting community. Howie's Emmy Award-nominated animated children series Bobby's World also ran a successful eight seasons on FOX and now appears in syndication six days a week in 65 countries. Howie attributes the show's success to drawing the story lines from real life. Howie has done countless comedy specials both on cable and network television. Aside from acting, Howie is also a well-recognized author, with his frank, funny, honest memoir "Here's the Deal: Don't Touch Me". The memoir that revealed his ongoing struggle with OCD and ADHD-and how it has shaped his life and career-made the New York Times Bestseller list on its first week and remained on the list for several consecutive weeks.
About ACT Today!
ACT Today! (Autism Care and Treatment Today!) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness and providing treatment services and support to families of children with autism who cannot afford or access the necessary tools their children need to reach their full potential. For more information about ACT Today!, visit: http://www.act-today.org.
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