The Greatest Playground Reimagined Gala

Please join us for Shane's Inspiration's 18th Annual Gala, The Greatest Playground Reimagined Gala on Friday, March 29th at The Beverly Hills Hotel.

6:30PM - Red Carpet Reception, Cocktails, Hors d'Oeuvres, and Silent Auction

8:00pm - Dinner & Awards Program, Live Auction, Entertainment & Dancing

At Shane's Inspiration, Inclusion Matters. We work every day to create a world where children with disabilities are included, especially in the place they love the most - the playground. Based in Los Angeles, Shane's Inspiration is an international non-profit dedicated to eliminating harmful bias against children with disabilities by creating inclusive playgrounds, educational programs and advocacy that fosters social inclusion through integrated play experiences. The results - respect, friendship and significantly reduced bullying!

We invite you to celebrate inclusion with us at our formal, but fun-filled evening of play! Funds raised from this event will support the costs associated with our three signature programs. Through our My Playground Catalyst program, we have opened 69 inclusive playgrounds in the U.S., Mexico, Canada, Israel, Russia, and Ecuador to date, with the reimagined Shane's Inspiration being our 70th! The impact of our Together, We Are Able ability awareness education program and My PlayClub community outreach program, which brings children of all abilities together at our inclusive playgrounds, has impacted the lives of over 45,000 children. Our programs teach compassion and respect towards people with disabilities and have been ordered online from educators in over 65 countries.

There are so many opportunities to support this event:

Table Sponsorships start at $5,000

Individual tickets are $350 - $500

Ads and Tributes begin at $100

Opportunity Drawing Tickets are $25/1 or $100/5

Thank you for supporting this important mission!

Visionary Leadership Award Honoree Kim Culmone

As Senior VP, Global Head of Design at Mattel, Kim sets the creative vision for the Barbie brand. Kim and her team are committed to keeping the brand innovative and reflective of the world kid's see around them. Throughout her 20-year tenure at the company, Kim has maintained a purpose-driven, human-centric design approach resulting in: the most ethnically diverse Barbie Fashionistas line in the brand's history; the introduction of three new body types - curvy, tall and petite - which led to a TIME magazine cover and the inclusion as one of the "Top 25 Inventions of 2016," as well as receiving the coveted "Doll of the Year Award" from the Toy Industry Association. In Kim, we recognize a kindred spirit, a spirit of innovation dedicated to driving the world's most diverse doll brand to now include dolls that utilize a wheelchair and a doll with a prosthetic limb. Kim is also passionate about the advancement of women and girls, supports the arts and LGBTQ+ organizations in her community and serves on the BOD for the Wright Institute Los Angeles, a mental health non-profit. For honoring children with special needs through her inclusive, passionate and innovative design, we honor Kim tonight with the Visionary Leadership Award.

Community Leadership Award Honoree Nora Yacoubian

After graduating in Physical Education and English Literature from McGill University in Montreal, Nora moved to Los Angeles to pursue her passion in teaching, coaching, and volunteering for Special Olympics. While teaching, she became a community activist, merging her Armenian heritage with her Canadian and American roots. Her commitment to social justice and inclusion led her to be an active member of Boards/Committees for YMCA of Glendale, Armenian Relief Society, Starkey Hearing Aid Foundation, The William Saroyan House, Armenian National Committee, and Armenian International Women's Association. Nora currently serves on the advisory board for Armenian Hearing Aid Project which provides free hearing aids to thousands of adults and children in Armenia. In 2015, Nora joined the Corporate Advisory Board for Shane's Inspiration and was instrumental in bringing an inclusive playground to the City of Glendale. Nora is now pursuing similar projects in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh). For her commitment to fostering inclusion here and abroad, Shane's Inspiration is delighted to honor Nora with our Community Leadership Award.

Courageous Spirit Award Honoree Evan Ruggiero

Evan Ruggiero began dancing at the age of five in his hometown studio and by age ten was accepted into the famed New Jersey Tap Ensemble. As a sophomore at Montclair State University, Evan was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer in his right leg. In an effort to save his leg, Evan endured nine surgeries over six months, but the cancer only returned more aggressively. Ultimately, Evan chose amputation in order to save his life. Eighteen months after the amputation, and only two days after receiving his "peg-leg," Evan was tapping again. In 2018, he received a Drama Desk Nomination for Best Actor, a Chita Rivera Award Nomination for Best Dancer, the Clive Barnes Award in Theatre for his portrayal of Tom Jones in NYC's off-Broadway hit "Bastard Jones," and a performance at Carnegie Hall! Evan has performed for many notable individuals Including Ellen DeGeneres, Vice President and Mrs. Joe Biden and Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. For the valiant pursuit and attainment of his dreams, in the face of great life challenges, Shane's Inspiration is honored to present the Courageous Spirit Award to this extraordinary man.

Check out of Video Recap from last year's Boogie Wonderland Gala 2018