Motion Picture Television Fund Charity Party Scales Back On Luxury
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In light of Motion Picture Television Fund‘s annual $10 million deficit–which has resulted in the closure of their extended care facility and acute care hospital, displacing 100 elderly residents, and laying off of 240 employees–the seventh annual Night Before party at the Beverly Hills Hotel benefiting the MPTF is cutting out the gift bags.
When the closures and firings were announced, the fund’s chairman Jeffrey Katzenberg, who hosts the pre-Oscar party which has raised approximately $6 million, a year said:
MPTF is initiating these changes because it’s the right thing to do, but the fact is that we have no choice.
I’m sure he feels the same way about the gift bags which can provide numerous re-gifting items and emergency birthday presents for assistants and household help–stuff like scarves, neckties, watches, wine, gift certificates, and luxury soaps–and have always been important convenient and cost-saving commodities for the wealthy recipients even before these tough times.
Meanwhile the CEO of the Motion Picture & Television Fund Foundation Ken Scherer had this to say about the lack of seemingly-obligatory and much anticipated gift bags:
It was the sponsors who suggested we find ways to have the same kind of evening but without being lavish. They wanted the cost savings to hit the bottom of the charity.
Meanwhile the displaced seniors’ and workers’ bottoms are hitting the pavement.
Thanks Lisa!