By Angelique Johnson
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – JANUARY 09: Sean Penn speaks at the 5th Annual Sean Penn & Friends HELP HAITI HOME Gala Benefiting J/P Haitian Relief Organization at Montage Hotel on January 9, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Jonathan Leibson/Getty Images for J/P HRO)
As the saying goes, “With great power comes great responsibility.” This past Saturday, many A-list entertainers and moguls converged upon the Montage in Beverly Hills to show their support for Sean Penn and friends 5th annual Help Haiti Home Gala, benefiting the J/P Haitian Relief Organization. Together, they raised awareness and a much needed $7 million, which will be used toward saving lives and building sustainable programs with the Haitian people.
Garcelle Beauvais (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for J/P HRO)
“I have a vested interest in this…I’m Haitian,” said Garcelle Beauvais. “So it’s really important to me that my country gets this kind of awareness. And it’s amazing that these kind of people can make people listen…Even though the earthquake was more than 5 years ago, there’s still a lot of work to be done.” Also in attendance were notable Haitians entertainers and dignitaries such as Jimmy Jean- Louis, Laurent Lamothe (former Haitian Prime Minister 2012-2014), and Jean-Max Bellerive (former Prime Minister, Haiti, 2009-2011).
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – JANUARY 09: Actress Pamela Anderson (L) and son Brandon Thomas Lee attend the 5th Annual Sean Penn & Friends HELP HAITI HOME Gala Benefiting J/P Haitian Relief Organization at Montage Hotel on January 9, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Jonathan Leibson/Getty Images for J/P HRO)
Pamela Anderson shared her observations. “Sean’s different, Sean’s like a warrior…I know a lot of people like that…people that really DO things…I really respond to people that are very brave and take a cause on.”
Even a warrior could have a soft spot. Penn’s extreme passion and devotion to doing something for the the people of Haiti, was choked up by tears while speaking about the difficulty of finding treatment for a teenager with diphtheria.
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – JANUARY 09: Musician Tom Petty performs onstage during the 5th Annual Sean Penn & Friends HELP HAITI HOME Gala Benefiting J/P Haitian Relief Organization at Montage Hotel on January 9, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for J/P HRO)[/caption]
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – JANUARY 09: Anderson Cooper speaks at the 5th Annual Sean Penn & Friends HELP HAITI HOME Gala Benefiting J/P Haitian Relief Organization at Montage Hotel on January 9, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for J/P HRO)[/caption]
Additional guests, including Anderson Cooper, Leonardo DiCaprio, Tracy Hamilton, Soliel Moon Frye, Honorees Segolene Royal &Bill Evansattested to the accomplishments J/P HRO has made while striving to aid Haitians in numerous ways.
Please visit JPHRO.ORG. Your donation is vital to helping our fellow neighbors rebuild.