10 hours ago
4
Jay Shetty and Anita Verma-Lallian
Several high profile Indian-Americans joined hands for a star studded fund-raiser at the iconic
Hotel Bel-Air
to support children and their families impacted by the devastating
Los Angeles wildfires
. The fund-raiser, Together for LA, was hosted by author and podcast host Jay Shetty and real estate investor and Camelback Productions film producer,
Anita Verma-Lallian
, bringing together 200 philanthropic guests from cities all over America, last Sunday. In a short time, the relief effort raised over half a million dollars, which will be directly donated to Baby2Baby, an US nonprofit that has already distributed over 6 million emergency supplies to children and families who have been impacted by the devastating Los Angeles fires.
Verma-Lallian, who heads prominent real estate firm Arizona Land Consulting, made headlines last October when she bought and moved into the former home of the late Friends star Matthew Perry in Pacific Palisades. She had earlier shared on social media that though her own home was saved, many others in her neighbourhood had been devastated by the wildfires. She is also founder of Camelback Productions which amplifies South Asian voices in Hollywood.
“I think everyone in LA knows someone who lost everything, and that is why we are all here today,” Verma-Lallian said at the fund-raising event. She also shared stories from survivors of the fires and about neighbours who banded together to save each other’s homes.
Notable guests included actor Kumail Nanjiani, interior designer Kelly Wearstler, founder of It Cosmetics & bestselling author Jamie Kern Lima, creator Dhar Mann and comedian Lilly Singh. Silent auction items lined the walls, including special experiences like two Elton John Academy Awards watch party tickets and signed memorabilia such as a guitar signed by all of the Beatles. A raffle for a 3-carat $38,000 ring created by rare gem dealer, Anup Jogani, was also held. At the fund-raiser, Shetty invited all the attendees to join in a meditation session and the entire party sat on the floor of the Hotel Bel-Air ballroom to collectively create a moment of healing and reflection. “In moments of great tragedy and stress we often look for certainty, try to look for stability… things we can hold onto. Those are very natural things to seek. The spiritual path is not to look for certainty in times of uncertainty. It is to look for service. To look for opportunities to serve and give back, help others, and uplift. Because if we look for certainty you may never find it,” he said.
Together for LA also highlighted its mission through messaging and visuals from Baby2Baby as well as heartfelt videos from wildfire survivors.
