Christie Brinkley Honored at Aspen’s Snow Ball Gala, Raising $3.5M for Pediatric Cancer Research

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The Aspen Snow Ball, now in its third edition, has morphed into a week-long affair rather than a single-day event, earning the title “Aspen Snow Ball Week.” This extended period attracts high-profile individuals from Hollywood, music, and the film industry, along with sponsors and donors. It fosters a sense of community and, led by film producer Thomas Pierce (whose latest work, The Brutalist, garnered 10 Oscar nominations), his Children’s Oncology Support Fund, it organizes five days filled with diverse events aimed at combating cancer.

At our gatherings, participants have an opportunity to connect, celebrate, and deeply engage with the cause, giving it a sense of significance and intimacy. I believe this strikes a chord with people because it’s not just a regular event; it represents a wave of empathy and optimism,” Pierce explained to The Hollywood Reporter.

Extending the Aspen Snow Ball into a week-long event aims to provide additional chances to boost our purpose. By incorporating various activities, we can connect with more people and demonstrate various methods they can aid children fighting cancer. As for this year’s ball, it stands apart due to its immersive nature — blending education, art, music, fashion, and philanthropy. It offers an opportunity not only to collect essential funds but also to nurture a stronger sense of camaraderie within our community.

On Saturday night, the gala gathered Robin Thicke, Jackie Cruz from “Orange Is the New Black” on Netflix, actress Julieth Restrepo, Nicholas Chavez from “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” on Netflix, Brooke Burke from “Baywatch” who is also a cancer survivor, and supermodel Christie Brinkley. Jay Leno hosted the event.

At the red carpet event, Thicke expressed, “I am a father of four, and they are the center of my universe. Everything I do revolves around them. When families and kids face challenges like this, they require all the support they can get from every angle as they start and continue their healing journey. I’m glad to be here because I understand that the work carried out here truly benefits children.

To begin the evening, Leno delivered an extensive opening speech that held everyone’s interest and covered subjects ranging from Abraham Lincoln to Donald Trump. Following this, Pierce stepped onto the stage, acknowledging those affected by the recent Los Angeles fires and expressing gratitude for the many COSF supporters from southern California who, despite losing their homes, attended Aspen to support the cause. The Community Leadership Award was presented posthumously to late COSF board member Rollie Jordan, while Brinkley received the Philanthropic Award. During her speech, Brinkley praised the event’s three-year journey and its significant impact, expressing admiration for Thomas’ efforts in aiding these remarkable children. She emphasized that this night was about inspiring future endeavors.

Previously, organizations like COSF have celebrated women such as Marcia Gay Harden and Rachel Zoe. Given Christie’s alignment with COSF’s core values – compassion and a desire to make a difference – it was a logical choice. As Pierce stated, “Honoring Christie this year is not just about acknowledging her significant achievements, but also her inspiring example of leveraging one’s influence to bring about impactful change.

The auction was orchestrated by auctioneer Harry Santa-Olalla. The highlight of the evening was an item that went for a bid of $110,000 – a six-night stay in Cannes during this year’s film festival, accompanied by five red carpet premiere tickets for Pierce, as well as tickets to the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix. As the night drew to a close, Parson James unexpectedly performed on stage, singing “We Stole The Show.” The evening also featured performances from Swedish singers Zara Larsson and Chloe Jane. The guests later headed to ZigZag, a restaurant in Aspen, for the afterparty. The event managed to gather $3.5 million for pediatric cancer research.

A week full of events led up to the ball. On Thursday, an educational panel was held and later that day, a charity concert kicked off at the Aspen Art Museum took place. Guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and cocktails while listening to Alexis Silva, Chloe Jane, Luke K, and Thicke, who captivated the audience with their popular songs “Lost Without U,” “Magic Touch” and “Blurred Lines.” The afternoon of Friday saw a shopping event called “Saddle Up and Shop,” where participating brands supporting COSF donated 25% of their sales to pediatric cancer research. In the evening, Velocity Black organized a benefactor dinner at the Aspen St. Regis.

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2025-02-10 22:25