HollyRod

AEG Season of Giving

admin — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 17:25:31 +0000

The HollyRod Foundation gave iPads to non verbal children with Autism for our Give The Gift of Voice campaign at the AEG Season of Giving presentation Monday, December 19th. Click below to view our photos and video featured on Access Hollywood!

Click here to see pictures from the event.

Check out all the latest news from The HollyRod Foundation.

admin — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 23:00:39 +0000

The HollyRod Foundation would like to thank everyone who supported or attended DesignCare and the My Brother Charlie family fun festival 2011. See you next year!

In this issue:
COMPASSIONATE CARE CENTER:
CSUN teams up with HollyRod
GIVING THE GIFT OF VOICE:
iPads open up the lives of children with Autism
MY BROTHER CHARLIE EVENT:
News from our 2nd Annual Family Fun Festival
To download a PDF issue of HollyRod News click here.

Dear Friends and Fans of The TALK

admin — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 23:50:41 +0000

After weeks in limbo, I was finally “officially” given word from CBS today that I have not been picked up for the 2nd season of The TALK. I realize there have been several reports and “leaks” for sometime to this effect but until today I was not contractually released which prevented me from moving on and finding other work.

While I am relieved to have this closure, it doesn’t diminish my disappointment one bit about not continuing with a show I worked very hard to launch and love dearly.

But I’ve been around long enough to know that while you cannot control certain situations you CAN control how you respond to them.

Thank you to CBS for a tremendous opportunity to realize a long held dream of mine to host a daytime talk show. I learned SO much and will cherish and build upon my experience. Best of all I made some friends for life…

I want to thank The TALK viewers and those who supported and rallied around me and expressed appreciation for the humor and heart I attempted to bring to the table… You lifted me!

But by far, what I will miss the most: the amazing platform to spread awareness about families affected by autism and special needs. Just know that I will never stop speaking for you, and sharing your stories…EVER.

Although this door has closed, I am full of excitement about the new doors that will open for me.

Gotta go grind!

I Love you.

Thank you.

See you soon.

Holly

13th Annual Design Care Benefit Honors CBS, Lonnie Ali and Rodney Jackson Peete

admin — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 20:55:32 +0000

The HollyRod Foundation sponsored the 13th Annual Design Care Benefit, which took place at a private residence in Beverly Hills on July 23. The foundation, which has been raising funds since 1999 to provide support for those living with Parkinson’s disease and autism, presented the HollyRod Corporate Compassion Award to CBS; the Matthew T. Robinson Jr. Award of Courage to Mrs. Muhammad Ali; and the HollyRod4kids Champion honoring those that have provided tremendous support for Parkinson’s and Autism to Rodney Jackson Peete. Peete, who has autism, is the son of Hollywood founders actressHolly Robinson-Peete and her husband, retired quarterback Rodney Peete.

The Design Care Benefit attracted such stars as Regina King, Garcelle Beauvais, and Perrey Reeves. Reeves Give Back Hollywood’s Brandi Milloy that she attended the event because she loves “to see how [Holly Robinson-Peete] is so devoted and driven. She has never lost touch with what’s important to her and is always giving and caring.”

On the following day, the Second Annual My Brother Charlie Family Fun Festival was hosted by the HollyRod Foundation at Culver Studios. Robinson-Peete said that “in California the instances of autism have jumped over 200% since 2002.” The actress, who created the foundation due to her father’s Parkinson’s and her son’s autism, believes that “the biggest advance in Autism is that people have been able to speak out like myself and talk about it and really raise awareness about Autism.”

Robinson-Peete’s co-star on The Talk, Sharon Osbourne, also attended the 13th annual Design Care Benefit. The star, who recently announced an upcoming hiatus from the show, said that she and her husband Ozzy Osbourne attended “for the Peete family; we wouldn’t have missed it. It’s Holly’s foundation; she works day in and day out for this cause and we’re here to support her and her family.” The TV personality and her husband were the winning bidders of an eight-week-old rescue Yorkie at the event’s auction. The bidding for the Yorkshire Terrier puppy named “Ozzy” started at $5,000, and ended with a final offer from the Osbournes of $10,000.

Osbourne told AOL TV that she has no desire to permanently leave The Talk, explaining: “I don’t want to give it up. It’s a great, great show. We’ve all worked really hard over the last year I’m not going to walk away from that. I just need some real good quality time to be with my hubby.” She is due to leave the show when her husband’s tour ends in September.

The 13th Annual Design Care Benefit also featured a performance by Grammy nominated artistLedisi and a runway show by fashion designer Naeem Khan. Khan is known for his intricately designed red carpet gowns worn by Beyonce, Alicia Keys, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, and first lady Michelle Obama.

Via: Hollywood Reporter

2nd Annual My Brother Charlie Follow Up

admin — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 12:07:31 +0000

There was joy all around at the Second Annual MY BROTHER CHARLIE EVENT FOR AUTISM AWARENESS held at the historic Culver Studios. The festivities were headed up by actress, singer and award-winning author, Holly Robinson Peete and family. The lovely star of Speed-Dating, Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper, 21 Jump Street, and co-host of The Talk, and her husband, NFL great, Rodney Peete have become two of America’s leading advocates for autism awareness through their own charity, the HollyRod Foundation. The charity offers help and hope through compassionate care to families living with Autism and Parkinson’s Disease.

Via: My Teen Topix

Losing the safety net: Adults with autism

admin — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 16:35:16 +0000

It’s been 68 years since the first case of autism was diagnosed. For decades it was considered a rare disorder but in a single generation, autism has become one of the most common developmental disabilities, affecting an estimated 1.5 million Americans. With so many children diagnosed in the 1990s, hundreds of thousands of them will reach adulthood over the next decade. Their needs will swamp the already financially strained state services. At least 10 states have already cut funding for some of those very services, increasing the burden on families.

Need to Know’s Alison Stewart spent time with two such families who are ahead of the coming wave — older parents doing their best to provide a safe and happy future for their adult children with autism, in the face of uncertainty.

Source: PBS

13th Annual Design Care 2011

admin — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 18:21:04 +0000

Holly Robinson Peete and Rodney Peete invite you to join them for an evening of Fashion, Musical Performance and a Live and Silent Auction.

THE EVENT

RSVP

In 1999, the HollyRod Foundation launched DesignCare, an annual summer event to help raise funds for the HollyRod Foundation.

2011 marks the 13th Anniversary of DesignCare, which features an electric summer evening reception, designer fashion show, entertainment, a silent and live auction.

What started as an intimate mixer with 50 guests at Holly and Rodney’s home has grown to over 500 guests, including many well-known celebrities, newsmakers and trailblazers.

Set underneath the summer Los Angeles stars, DesignCare is still touted as one of the most intimate, authentic and inspiring events of the year.

2nd Annual My Brother Charlie Family Fun Festival

admin — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 12:00:14 +0000

RSVP

The HollyRod Foundation invites you to join us Sunday, July 24, 2011, for the second annual “My Brother Charlie’s Family Fun Festival,” a red carpet event, being held at the historic Culver Studios in Culver City.

Proceeds from “My Brother Charlie’s Family Fun Festival” will directly support this new center and our critical work along with continuing our “Give the Gift of Voice” program. Through this program, HollyRod Foundation is donating Apple iPads with specially designed communication software to nonverbal children with autism nationwide.

We hope you will join us as we celebrate “My Brother Charlie” and its important lessons about togetherness, hope, tolerance and love.

Holly Robinson Peete & OpenSky benefit HollyRod

admin — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 05:44:03 +0000

OpenSky is the limit for celeb styles

Think Twitter, but with shopping. That’s what you get with OpenSky.com, a new social shopping site that launches Monday and features celeb “curators,” who you follow to discover new products. During April, The Talk’s Holly Robinson Peete will be sharing with followers a handmade beaded bracelet by Honesty Jewelry. A portion of the proceeds from the $98 bracelet will be donated to the HollyRod Foundation, which helps families coping with autism. Other curators at OpenSky.com include Wynonna and Naomi Judd, Alicia Silverstone, Mariel Hemingway, Cynthia Rowley and Liz Lang.

Source: usatoday.com

Autism and Communication

admin — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 22:44:46 +0000

In 2010, HollyRod introduced the “Give the Gift of Voice” campaign to provide iPads to give a voice to those without. To date, HollyRod has given away more iPads for communication for Autism than any other organization. Over 100 individuals ranging in age from 3 to 32 across 27 states can now make their voice heard. It is our commitment to continue this program so that every individual with Autism has a voice.

50% of children with Autism have extreme difficulty learning to speak, 25% of them never will. While these individuals may not be able to speak, they have much to say. Traditional Alternative Communication Devices on average cost around $8000. With the introduction of Apple’s iPad along with specially designed communication “apps”, the ability to speak is far more accessible for so many ranging in total cost of about $1000. Yet there are thousands more who still cannot afford to give their child a voice, help us give them one. Meet some of our iPad recipients.

At this time our application process is closed while we work to raise funds to fulfill current and future applications. Please donate now to help us give thousands of children a voice.

Are you getting the new iPad2?

If you are buying the new iPad2 and have no need for your old iPad, please consider donating it to HollyRod. We are accepting used iPads to continue our efforts to give every child with autism a voice.

Resources for Fundraising for your own iTouch/iPad:

For your child’s (and yours) birthday, holidays, etc… ask family members for Apple gift cards in any denomination. They do add up!

Try this advice from autism mom and one of our favorite bloggers, Shannon Rosa*:

Set up an iPad fundraising campaign for your own child on ChipIn.com or GiveForward.com. These campaigns allow people to contribute whatever they can, directly to a fund that you set up. Then blog the campaign, tweet it, post it on Facebook, email friends & family — enlist as many people as you can, cite as many articles as you need to to let everyone who cares about your child know how much your kid could benefit from an iPad.

Going hat-in-hand may not come naturally to you, but consider that you can ask as many or as few people as you like, that any contribution will make a difference — and that you may actually be helping out all those relatives who wrestle with what to get your child for Christmas, Hanukkah, or birthdays. Remember: people can always choose not to contribute, but they can’t contribute anything if you don’t ask them.

People are generous, the Internet is powerful, and your kid needs an iPad. It’s a great combination.

*read more of Shannon’s blog at http://www.squidalicious.com

The following app developers partnered with HollyRod offering promo codes and/or donations to offset the cost of the apps we included with our iPads:
AssistiveWare (Proloquo2go)
Grembe Apps (iCommunicate)
FirstWords(Learning Touch)
iMagine Machine (Faces iMake)
GDI Plus (iWrite Words)
Good Karma Apps (First-Then Visual Schedule)
Look2Learn (Stories2Learn)
iBiomed (iBiomed)
GraceApp (GraceApp)
FizzBrain (FizzBrainApp)
ZooGue Donated innovative cases for the all of the iPads

For in-depth list of Apps for Autism, click here to download the Squidalicious.com Spreadsheet.