@FarmSanctuary Fundraiser review featuring @kevin_nealon @colbiecaillat @jencoolidge and more

By Joy A. Kennelly 

Recently I had the pleasure of attending the Farm Sanctuary's Fundraiser featuring Colbie Caillat and Kevin Nealon among others at the Peterson Auto Musuem. If you've never been to the musuem, here's a taste of what to expect when you first arrive.

Now to be honest, as soon as I read this event featured a special acoustic performance by Grammy award winner COLBIE CAILLAT, I decided I'd like to attend.

Plus, I've always appreciated Kevin Nealon's humor and since he was host, I was sure it would be a fun time. Who could resist an invitation with their cute faces? Or these farm animals as seen above?

Once I arrived however, I was drawn into the cause, Farm Sanctuary, America’s largest and most effective farm animal rescue and protection organization. A friend had always recommended I see the documentary, Forks over Knives, which features Farm Sanctuary and I was curious as a result.

Everyone I met that night was so passionate about protecting farm animals and many were vegans, something I've never considered, but found very fascinating due to their passion. Plus, everyone looked so fit and thin the lifestyle kinda spoke for itself. 

As my friend Patti said, "It doesn't matter what people are passionate about, as long as they have a passion for something." Which I had to agree with because even though all the charities I will support financially have always involved children, I'm always open to learning about new charities and supporting causes by writing about them because I feel it's nice to raise awareness.

Apparently, so did these celebrities since so many turned out in support. Recognize anyone?:)

Jennifer Coolidge, one of my favorite comedic idols, whom you may recognize her from American Pie and Legally Blonde, but I will always remember her from Best in Show.

Brilliant comedic timing and a very nice person to boot. She was cracking us up on the red carpet. Who hasn't worn a coat to an event to hide bra straps?:)

She wasn't the only female actress to show up though, you may recognize these women too.

Kelly Thiebaud of General Hospital fame was there.

Here's Gene Baur (whom I accidentally called Jack:), president of Farm Sanctuary, with Sarah Dawson of Survivor Philippines fame, and Ady Gil. Sarah shared she was a fifth generation vegan and attributed part of her success on Survivor to this fact. Who knew?:)

What I found interesting was many of the men in attendance dressed for the farm aspect of the event while the ladies read cocktail and wore evening wear. Don't you wish Michael Vartan was back on TV? 

And you may recognize Mackenzie Astin from his days on "Facts of Life" or maybe even the fact he's the son of Patty Duke or Sean Astin's younger brother, but regardless,  isn't he dapper? Lovin' the bow tie.

And the woman of the hour, Colbie Caillat, who is very tall.    Just because I know I have a lot of male readers, here's another pic of her just for you guys.:) 

Here was the schedule for the evening. We munched on delicious Veggie Grill fare for dinner and at first it took me a minute to recognize everything was vegetarian until I saw the "chicken wings" because they didn't look like any  chicken wing I had ever seen. This one was my favorite, All Hail The Kale salad.

Yummy, eh? Very flavorful and nothing like I had tasted before. A self-proclaimed "Vegan Boss" told me his favorite site for vegan recipes is called, what else? www.allveganrecipes.com

When I asked him to choose his favorite veggie to descrbe himself, he said, Kale because it's green, leafy and awesome! Everyone was real kick back and fun. People were dancing, playing poker, eating, buying raffle tickets and more the entire night.

If you look closely you will see Reid Ewing (Modern Family) who became a fan of Farm Sanctuary after rescuing a homeless chicken; Torrance Coombs (The Tudors/Heartland/Just cast in “Kill For Me”) and Alyssa Campanella (Miss USA 2011) posing; Edwin Hodge (Cougar Town, NCIS) Ciddy Fonteboa (Horror Haiku) who told me she had been involved in a very abusive marriage and once she got out of it, she became a vegan because anything that overpowers should never ever happen. She made it so vivid, it brought tears to my eyes.

                
     
  
     
 






Pretty soon it was time for the main event, Colbie performing.

Now if you're like me, you love Spotify and the ability to create a "radio" station that tailors to the kinds of music you like. I'm such a fan of Colbie's music, I have a Colbie Caillat station since it's the best music to write to.

If you're not familiar with her music, here's a new song she just created along with Gavin DeGraw for the film, Safe Haven:

 She's on tour, but her website/fan page hasn't listed dates and/or cities otherwise I'd tell you where. In any case, it was really fun to have this private, intimate party with a few hundred cool people who really love this cause and her music.

Farm Sanctuary President, Gene Baur said a few words, Kevin Nealon entertained us encouraging us all to give the gift of a cow, and then Colbie came on to perform.

 
 

  

 
Now, if you're like me and city born and bred, there's still hope for us. Farm Sanctuary's 26-acre Southern California Shelter is located on a beautiful hacienda ranch in Acton, just 45 minutes from Hollywood.

In addition to providing shelter for more than 100 animals, Farm Sanctuary’s Animal Acres offers one-hour guided tours on Sundays and group tours are available by appointment. 

Their sanctuary gift shop is open before and after tours. Visitors will find educational materials, as well as a variety of items available for purchase including apparel, books, and souvenirs.

For Visitor Center hours and tour times, please click here.

Doesn't this sound fun? Who doesn't want to see Charlotte in her own habitat? In any case, the evening was a great eye opener and has made me realize areas of my life where I can adjust my diet too.

My next step is to watch Forks Over Knives. Here's the trailer in case you're not familiar with it:

 

Eat healthy! Save an animal! Buy a Cow! Or a Pig! Or even a Chicken! Better than a dog and you don't even have to care for it, Farm Sanctuary does it for you.

So with that, I wish you all a vegetarian good night!:)