VIPs Gather to Support at the CLARE|MATRIX Hosts 22nd Annual Tribute Dinner
Notable guests included Actor and Comedian, Billy Gardell, Award Winning Creator, Producer, and Writer, Chuck Lorre, and the cast and writers
LOS ANGELES, CA (NOVEMBER 15, 2019) Last night CLARE|MATRIX hosted it’s 22nd Annual Tribute Dinner, bringing together 350 dedicated supporters, including entertainment industry notables Chuck Lorre, Al Higgins, Matt Jones, Folake Olowofoyeku, and Maribeth Monroe to name a few, to honor outstanding leaders that exemplify its mission and vision to save lives through recovery. The organization raised over half a million dollars from the event, which will continue to allow them to serve thousands of men, women and children placing each on a path of hope and healing from substance use and behavioral health disorders.
This year, the dinner honored Billy Gardell, star of the new CBS series,, and whose previous credits include Mike & Molly, Yes Dear, and Judging Amy to name a few, with the Tribute Award. Other honorees included Spirit Award recipient, Harry Nelson, Founder of Nelson Hardimann, a leading healthcare law firm. Nelson is the nation’s leading healthcare attorney and a top expert on the future of U.S. healthcare. In building the largest healthcare and life sciences firm in Los Angeles, he’s earned national acclaim for driving innovative solutions to the most difficult problems facing healthcare and for his recent bestselling novel, “The United States of Opioids: A Prescription for Liberating a Nation in Pain”. The Distinguished Alumni Award was presented to, Van Hohman, a Los Angeles based architect, who after completing his own program with MATRIX Institute on Addictions, established a peer support group for other Alums in their path to recovery.
“It was a privilege to honor three outstanding individuals – Billy Gardell, Harry Nelson, and Van Hohman – that walk with personal generosity in shining a light on the disease of addiction and in ways, unique to their exceptional talents, continuously opening doors for people in need of hope for a new beginning,” said Dr. Lisa Steele, CEO of CLARE|MATRIX. “Each year, The Tribute Dinner fundraising gala provides critical support to those seeking help, and pointing the way to a life in recovery,” Steele adds.
Emcee, Tammy Jo Dearen opened the awards ceremony, that included dinner, musical entertainment, and a live auction. As the addiction crisis has reached an unprecedented level, broader and more dynamic solutions are required to reach greater numbers. Proceeds raised during the evening will help CLARE|MATRIX accomplish its goal to provide effective and compassionate treatment, recovery and prevention services for alcohol and substance abuse, and behavioral health disorders to individuals, families, and the community.
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About CLARE|MATRIX Tribute Dinner
CLARE|MATRIX changes the lives of individuals and families and strengthens communities affected by alcohol, substance use, and behavioral health issues by providing proven and effective treatment, education, research, and training. As CLARE|MATRIX’s biggest annual fundraiser, the Dinner brings together dedicated supporters and has become a highlight in the city’s social and philanthropic calendars.