BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Feb. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- The second annual "Night Before" event to benefit the Motion Picture & Television Fund (MPTF) raised $3.5 million dollars -- $1 million dollars more than last year's inaugural event. This year's event was again held at the Beverly Hills Hotel on the eve of the Academy Awards®.

The casual, fun-filled party drew a star-studded guest list, headed up by members of the host committee, including: Jennifer Aniston, Kate Capshaw and Steven Spielberg, Courtney Cox and David Arquette, Tom Cruise, Leonardo DiCaprio, Angelina Jolie, Rita Wilson and Tom Hanks, Renee Zellweger, and Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas. Joining them were such luminaries as Oprah Winfrey, Clint Eastwood, Jada Pinkett-Smith and Will Smith, Jude Law, Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins, Kevin Spacey, Elton John, Ben Stiller, Marsha Gay Harden, Patricia Clarkson, Alec Baldwin, Ben Kingsley, Holly Hunter, Jack Black, Martin Short, Donald Trump, Melanie Griffith and Antonio Banderas, Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Sylvester Stallone, Kim Catrall, Kristen Davis, Camryn Manheim, Sean Hayes, Megan Mullally, Pierce Brosnan, Amber Tamblyn, Bonnie Hunt and many more. Also taking part in the benefit were such corporate leaders as The Coca-Cola Company, Hewlett-Packard, Ford Motor Company, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts and Reed Elsevier. All proceeds raised at the "Night Before" go directly to benefit the Motion Picture & Television Fund.

In 2003, the Beverly Hills Hotel provided the inaugural "Night Before" benefit a little piece of history when, for the first time ever, it decked over the pool for the event. This year, history repeated itself as the hotel's pool area was decked out and over.

Jeffrey Katzenberg, Chairman MPTF Foundation Board of Directors, said, "Once again, the management and staff of the Beverly Hills Hotel have come through for the Motion Picture & Television Fund, creating the perfect setting for our benefit. We truly couldn't do it without them, or without the cooperation and support of the city of Beverly Hills. I also want to add my thanks to our illustrious host committee, whose names have been at the forefront of this fundraiser's success."

Ken Scherer, CEO of the MPTF Foundation, noted, "MPTF Community Services experienced a significant increase in client contacts in 2003. The proceeds from the Night Before event and other generous donors allowed MPTF to add social workers and provide more direct care and support to a record number of industry workers who are turning to the Fund at the most critical times of need.

"We are grateful to all those who give back to our industry through their support of MPTF. And we are particularly grateful to our corporate partners, Coca-Cola, Ford, Hewlett-Packard, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts and Reed Business/Variety, for their generous leadership commitment to the 'Night Before.'"

In addition to the remarkable celebrity turnout, the following corporate sponsors had an important presence at the benefit:

Reed Elsevier:

Reed Elsevier, a world leading publisher and information provider, took on a sponsorship role in the second annual "Night Before" event to benefit the MPTF. With principal operations in North America and Europe, Reed Elsevier operates in the scientific, legal, educational and business-to-business sectors, providing high value and flexible information solutions to professional end users, with increasing emphasis on internet delivery. They are also the parent company to numerous publications, including Variety. As a souvenir of an already stellar evening, a complimentary copy of Variety's popular lifestyle publication, VLife(TM), was placed in each car at the valet check-in.

Jim Casella, CEO Reed Business Information, commented, "MPTF and Variety are both longstanding Hollywood institutions. The people who benefit from MPTF's services are also a large part of our readership, so we are proud to support the Fund's efforts in every way possible."

Hewlett-Packard:

Hewlett-Packard and fellow sponsor Variety teamed to give guests a special photo keepsake of the occasion. With the help of HP's latest digital imaging technology, guests could get their photo taken holding a customized issue of Variety, in a take-off of its Trendsetters campaign.

As they did last year, HP also enabled guests at the benefit to send personalized e-mails via HP Tablet PCs to former motion picture and television employees who reside at the MPTF hospital and retirement communities.

Carly Fiorina, HP Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "HP is delighted to assist in connecting those who have committed their livelihood to advancing the inventive spirit of the film industry."

Coca-Cola:

Providing refreshments throughout the evening, Coca-Cola served up their newest flavor, Diet Coke with Lime, at the Coca-Cola cabana. In keeping with their ad campaign for the new soft drink -- "Put the lime in the coconut and shake it all up" -- their booth had a distinctly tropical theme and the Diet Coke with Lime was served in coconuts by waiters in tropical shirts.

Steven J. Heyer, President and Chief Operating Officer of The Coca-Cola Company stated: "As a company that has operations in more than 200 countries around the world, The Coca-Cola Company has an ongoing commitment to give back to the communities where we do business. We know the Motion Picture & Television Fund shares this commitment, as it has been providing support to members of the entertainment community for more than 80 years. We applaud them for their efforts, and for inspiring this special evening."

Ford Motor Company:

Joining the sponsor roster for the first time this year, Ford created a custom racing game exclusively for the "Night Before" that added fun and excitement to the event. Two competitors at a time could sit in the driver's seat of a replica of Ford's new hybrid car and take over the controls to race each other on a route projected on a plasma screen. Befitting the timing of the party, the object of the race was the Oscar® ceremonies, with the start on Mulholland Drive and the Finish Line at the Kodak Theatre. In addition to the mock car, an actual hybrid model was also on display in the Valet drop-off area for guests to check out.

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts:

With all the delicious food being served at the event, guests hopefully saved room for some dessert, courtesy of Krispy Kreme Doughnuts. At the Krispy Kreme booth, guests could throw calorie and carb concerns to the wind and sample such treats as a doughnut ice cream sundae, or s'mores, made with cake doughnuts. And to end the night on a sweet note, a sample box of Krispy Kreme doughnuts was placed in everyone's cars.

Scott Livengood, Chairman, President and CEO of Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, said, "Krispy Kreme is pleased to take part in the 'Night Before' event and contribute to the important work of the Motion Picture & Television Fund. It is one of the year's most exciting events, because it serves the greater purpose of raising awareness and extending the reach of health and human services to those who have given so much to the entertainment industry-many of them behind the scenes and in supporting roles. I commend Jeffrey Katzenberg and the MPTF team for their continued work for such a wonderful cause."

Reebok:

For the second year in a row, Reebok created an on-site "store," where guests were invited to choose from a variety of styles of Reebok shoes. At the end of the evening the complimentary shoes were ready for pick up in the style and size selected.

The "Night Before" event was coordinated by Robyn Leuthe and designed by Walter Hubert of Silver Birches. The Beverly Hills Hotel provided the catering.

About MPTF:

For 82 years, The Motion Picture & Television Fund has served the entertainment industry as its foremost provider of health and human services. The mission of the organization is to enrich the lives of people in the industry through health care, children's day care, social and charitable services, and, retirement and residential services offered with compassion and respect for the dignity of each person.

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Layne P. Heiny / Administrator for Tux Reports Network

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