The Help Group presents ‘Help Humanitarian Award’ at 17th Annual Teddy Bear Ball event

On Wednesday, April 23, 2014, The Help Group will host its 17^th Annual Teddy Bear Ball to benefit children with autism and other special needs at The Beverly Hilton Hotel.

The Help Group will present its Help Humanitarian Award to Kevin Beggs, Chairman of Lionsgate Television Group, and its Corporate Philanthropy Award to Brian Kennedy of Regency Outdoor Advertising.

Each year, the Teddy Bear Ball is attended by hundreds of prominent entertainment and community leaders and features special performances by children of The Help Group and their celebrity friends. Serving as emcee for the program is Jason Alexander, who's currently performing his one-man variety show, "An Evening with Jason Alexander and His Hair," at Harrah's Las Vegas. "Nashville" star Charles Esten will be performing two songs from the acclaimed Lionsgate/ABC Studios series.

This year's Gala Chairs are Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer, Lionsgate Vice Chairman Michael Burns, Lionsgate Television Group COO Sandra Stern and comedy superstar George Lopez. Co-Chairs are Chris McGurk, Chairman & CEO of Cinedigm, and Jamie McGurk, Producer at Off Balance Productions, David Salzman, CEO of David Salzman Enterprises, and Ken Solomon, Chairman & CEO of the Tennis Channel.  Harry Winston, Inc., last year's Corporate Philanthropy Award honoree, joins the event as a major sponsor.

Mr. Beggs oversees the development and production of all scripted and non-scripted programming for broadcast, cable, and digital platforms worldwide for Lionsgate Television Group.  Under his leadership, the television division has become a leading supplier of programming, with an impressive slate of 34 television series on 22 different networks that includes "Nashville," "Mad Men," "Anger Management," "Nurse Jackie," "Orange Is the New Black," and "Saint George," to name a few. Mr. Beggs will be honored at the Ball for his outstanding humanitarian achievements and his wonderful commitment to the children of The Help Group.

Mr. Kennedy founded Regency Outdoor Advertising 40 years ago and serves as its President. Regency Outdoor has generously sponsored citywide billboard campaigns for The Help Group for many years.

"We are thrilled to salute Kevin and Brian - they are such great friends to our organization and to our children," said Dr. Barbara Firestone, President and CEO of The Help Group.