Red Carpet Reversal
Hello $subst('Recip.FullName'),
 |
It's not your usual premiere! Audience members arrive by limousine to the Kansas City premiere of Meet Me in Miami. Guests enjoyed a free movie and much more. (More photos) |
December 5, Kansas City -
At a typical movie premiere, thousands of rabid fans stand outside the red carpet and vie for the slightest attention from their favorite celebrities. Lift Up America’s Giving Hope Tour in Kansas City turned that idea on its head by making the audience the “stars.” On December 5th, many less fortunate families arrived at the Cinemark theatre by limousine. Flashing cameras and cheering crowds enthusiastically welcomed these honored guests to the premiere of Meet Me in Miami (a Latino-oriented romantic comedy starring Carlos Ponce and Eduardo Verastegui).
Many in the crowd were leaders in the city who wanted to give hope and dignity to the working poor of their city. “I hope the event was as big of a success as it appeared to be . . . I clapped and greeted for one hour and five minutes without a break in the flow. I was impressed and I don't impress easily. Well done.” – Mike Oyster, owner of Apple Bus
“Arlene and I were blown away by the tremendous effect created in the lives of those less fortunate. They were certainly blessed, but their blessing was only outdone by the blessings we received in return -- the tears, the smiles, the expressions of gratitude. We are huge fans of LUA!” – Gary B. Krings, Smith Barney
Eric Hannah, director of Meet Me in Miami, reflects on the aim of lifting up the less fortunate: “You can have money. You can have fame. You can have food. But without hope, it’s very difficult to live.”
For more on Lift Up America, please visit www.liftupamerica.org.
Yours for lifting up America,
Dave Hannah
Chairman/CEO Lift Up America
Photo Gallery:
Jerry Simmons, owner of Simmons Investments, Inc.; Wayne Huizenga Jr., owner of the Miami Dolphins; and Gene Wallace, with American Secure Mortgage, greet kids along the red carpet.
Norm Miller, Chairman of Interstate Batteries, (left), and Lee Roy Mitchell, Chairman and CEO of Cinemark Theaters, showed their support of the LUA entertainment strategy and food distribution in K.C.
Toni Simmons, co-host of the Kansas City event along with her husband, Jerry, hugs a young guest at the Meet Me in Miami premiere.
|
