2025 Colin Matthew Hand-Up Awards and Gala
Annual 2025 Colin Matthew $50,000 Hand-Up Awards and Gala, an evening dedicated to celebrating and supporting underserved adults and children with special needs. Join us at the Los Angeles Biltmore Hotel for a night of celebration, dinner and entertainment. This year’s honorees and guests include Marla Gibbs, Keith David, Garret Morris, Richard Lawson, Ernest Harden Jr. and Host Dannon Green. With special performance by the musical guest, Club Nouveau.
BRAND REPRESENTATION PACKAGES
Elevate Your Brand & Support a Life-Changing Mission: Showcasing your brand at this premier event offers unparalleled visibility to a discerning audience while demonstrating your commitment to the community, consumers and constituents. Our Table Packages are designed for a truly memorable experience, featuring Executive VIP seating, a gourmet dinner (with choices of steak, fish, or vegetarian options), captivating live entertainment, and an exhilarating live auction.
Choose the Perfect Setting for Your Party:
- Balcony Private Suite for 4
- Balcony Private Suite for 8
- Table for 10
- Table for 8
- Table for 6
- Table for 4
For amplified visibility and exposure, we have included for select packages includes: a full or half-page sponsorship advertisement in program guider, prominent logo placement on our Step and Repeat banner, and an exclusive 3-minute speaking opportunity on stage. Join us in celebrating another successful year of giving and impactful support for children and adults with special needs.
Beyond a night of celebration, your participation makes a tangible difference. Last year’s gala achieved international recognition, drawing a distinguished audience of celebrities, political figures (mayors, congress members), and influential local business leaders, all united by their commitment to this vital cause. Their generosity enabled us to provide crucial resources, from wheelchairs to specialized beds, assisting over 200 families.
Be Inspiration group purchases for this event are tax deductible, if your business requires this tax status, please notify our staff with your inquiry.
Colin Matthew Hand-Up Ward 2025 Honorees
Marla Gibbs
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Marla Gibbs, an esteemed American actress, comedian, and singer, is most celebrated for her iconic television characters. She indelibly portrayed Florence Johnston, the quick-witted and sarcastic maid, on the hit sitcom The Jeffersons and its continuation, Checking In. Gibbs also notably starred as Mary Jenkins on the series 227. Beyond these enduring roles, she guest-starred as Mrs. Miller in the Southland fourth-season episode “Underwater.” |
Keith David
 | Keith David is a highly acclaimed, classically trained actor, known for his resonant voice and powerful screen presence. A three-time Emmy winner and Tony Award nominee, he recently starred in the popular and critically acclaimed series Greenleaf for Oprah Winfrey’s OWN network. Upcoming film projects include Horizon Line, with Allison Williams (Get Out), and Black As Night for Amazon. On the big screen, David co-starred with Chadwick Boseman in 21 Bridges, and his recent work also includes Night School alongside Kevin Hart and Tiffany Haddish |
Garrett Morris
 | Garrett Morris, an American comedian and actor, made his mark as one of the original cast members of Saturday Night Live. His career continued with prominent roles on various sitcoms, including Junior “Uncle Junior” King on The Jamie Foxx Show, Earl Washington on the CBS series 2 Broke Girls, and Stan Winters on Martin. As a testament to his foundational role in television, particularly with SNL, Morris was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 2017. |
Richard Lawson
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Richard Lawson is an American actor with a long career in both film and television. He is particularly recognized for his roles in genre productions, including Ryan in the 1982 film Poltergeist and Dr. Ben Taylor in the 1983 NBC miniseries V. Lawson’s other notable film appearances include the 1971 movie Dirty Harry, Willis in 1973’s Scream Blacula Scream, the 1979 film The Main Event, and Officer Ed Price in the 1984 drama Streets of Fire. His first ongoing starring role in a television series was in the 1977 Australian drama Hotel Story. |
Making Dreams Come True
Join Be Inspirational and the Saint Vinson Eugene Allen Foundation in making dreams come true! We are thrilled to announce a fundraising effort to send 1,000 children from our program on a truly magical day trip to Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California. Scheduled for May 2026, this special excursion is designed to provide joy, foster interaction, and create cherished memories for every child. Every donation, no matter the size, helps us meticulously plan this extraordinary day. Your support matters immensely – please contribute today!
Your donations directly support families with special need adults and children. Please join us in providing essential assistance.