Sean Penn hosted the Haiti Rising Gala benefiting J/P Haitian Relief Organization held at the Montage Hotel in Beverly Hills. “Come on, man, these people are dying over here,” said Penn, a cigarette tucked behind his ear, appealing to the ballroom filled with movie stars and business entrepreneurs bidding on luxury auction prizes. “We need your help.” In addition to Penn, the event was co-hosted by Bryan Lourd and Sean and Alexandra Parker, and presented by Lynne and Marc Benioff. Also in the crowd were Pamela Anderson, Jeffrey Tambor, Ed Norton, Nick Jonas, Patricia Arquette, Leonardo DiCaprio (who donated $125,000 dollars in exchange for custom artwork by Ed Ruscha), and Courtney Love, who bid $50,000 for Madonna’s Rebel Heart tour dress.
A record $37 million was committed to J/P HRO and their initiatives in Haiti, which included contributions from the Government of France, The Parker Foundation, and World Bank, along with proceeds from the live auction.