The "25th Annual Charlie Awards" copyright © Hollywood Arts Council

The Hollywood Arts Council presented their 25th Annual Charlie Awards Luncheon in the Blossom Room of the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, home of the first Academy Awards ceremony, at a sold out event on Friday, March 25.

Nyla Arslanian, President of the Hollywood Arts Council said:  “We raised $50,000 at the luncheon.  Additional funds will be also be raised through our current Online Auction, www.biddingforgood.com/hollywoodartscouncil, which includes 81 one-of-a-kind items, tickets to shows, art and the like.  Bidding will close on Sunday, April 10, 2011.  Monies raised will help benefit the Council’s Project S.O.A.R. (Students Overcoming All Risks) in eight Title 1 Hollywood elementary schools and our Annual Free Children’s Festival of the Arts at Paramount Pictures.  This is a challenging year economically, but our kids’ art programs must continue; Hollywood’s at-risk children can’t wait for times to get better.  We are very grateful to all who attended the event and to our sponsors for their generous support.”

ABC7 Television’s George Pennacchio served as Emcee at the event.

The Council’s Charlie Awards are presented annually to honor individuals and companies for significant contributions to the arts and Hollywood. Charlie Awards were presented in seven categories to: Larry King (Media Arts); Sunset Gower Studios (Hollywood Arts); Labelle at Hollywood Tower (Architectural Arts); Celebration Theatre (Theatre Arts); L. Ron Hubbard’s Writers of the Future (Literary Arts – Inaugural Presentation in this new award category); Starline Tours (Entertainment Arts); and Nine O’Clock Players/Assistance League of Southern California (Community Arts).