Jason Thompson, who plays Billy Abbott on The Young and the Restless, and Rebecca Budig, who played Hayden Barnes on General Hospital and Greenlee Smythe on All My Children, both attended the 8th Annual Baby Ball Gala this past weekend in Los Angeles.
In a press release about the event, the organization AdoptTogether said “AdoptTogether, the largest fundraising platform that unites children with their forever families all over the globe, hosted its 8th Annual Baby Ball Gala earlier this evening attracting artists, high profile industry executives and fellow adoption supporters, as they gathered on the iconic New York Street on the Radford Lot in Studio City. Guests included Jonathan Tucker, Malin Akerman, Jack Donnelly, Curtis Stone, Lindsay Price, Channing Dungey, Jimmy Akingbola, Eric Winter, Roselyn Sanchez, Sara Rue, Rebecca Budig, Jason Thompson, just to name a few, and over 200 additional attendees.
Hosted by AdoptTogether founder Hank Fortener, guests enjoyed appetizers provided by Curtis Stone Events and specialty cocktails provided by Nosotros Tequila Mezcal, Madre Mezcal, and Moet & Chandon Champagne as they mingled to jams played by DJ Young Guru. The event kicked off with a video compilation of powerful testimonials about the impact of adoption shared by Jonathan Tucker, Bellamy Young, and Tanika Ray followed by a live auction with celebrity chef Curtis Stone serving as the auctioneer. Guests bid on donation gift packages for various luxury escapes including a Las Vegas Getaway, Park City Getaway, and Dominique Belle Getaway in Sonoma, CA.
“Family is the undefeated option,” explains AdoptTogether Founder Hank Fortener. “Nobody has been able to find a better system for helping humans grow and be safe than a family. No system, no process none of that but a family. The faster you get kids into a family, the faster you secure their safety, their future, their education, and lifestyle. Family is not perfect, but it’s the only system globally that we found that helps kids safely become adults.”
During the evening, Fortener spoke on stage and inspired audiences with his story of growing up in a unique family that fostered 36 children and adopted eight children from five different countries. Fortener’s presentation on the current foster care system in the United States shed light on why supporting adoption is important, and provided information on how to get involved. The money raised each year at Baby Ball allows AdoptTogether to continue to support families on their adoption journey. This year’s sold-out gala rallied supporters to kick off World Adoption Day which takes place on November 9. Every year the annual campaign by AdoptTogether dedicates a day to celebrating family, and all those touched by adoption. This year supporters will pledge to the campaign by posting a picture of a smiley face drawn on their hands and sharing on social media with the #worldadoptionday. “
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