A Red Carpet Experience
Feb 13, 2015
February 13, 2015
“As far as I can recall, I knew nothing about this once in a life time experience prior to the night of The Mission Continues Gala, but it worked out unbelievably well.”
For months, Sally Johnston was planning a family trip out to California to visit her grandson, Andrew who is a student at Chapman University’s Dodge School of Film. They knew they were going to make it out there before he graduated, but never made it through planning the logistics.
The Mission Continues Veterans Day Gala is a night the Johnston Family looks forward to every year. As long time supporters of The Mission Continues, it’s a special night to celebrate the impact and successes of an organization that is near and dear to them.
As Sally and her granddaughter Amy were strolling through the silent auction room, they came across an experience they couldn’t pass up. A night for two on the red carpet attending the 20th Annual Critics’ Choice Movie Awards. An experience made possible by the generous support of A&E and History Channel.
“All I kept thinking was ‘what a perfect Christmas gift for my grandson, that’s exactly what he’s studying.’ I was determined to win this item. I remember having my 15 year old twin granddaughters stalk the table almost all night. And after a small bidding battle, I finally won.”
The Johnston Family planned their trip to California based on this experience. A&E and History Channel organized two limousines to pick Sally’s grandchildren, Andrew and Emily, up from the hotel, drop them off at the event and escort them to the after party.
“As you know, traffic in Los Angeles can be crippling so they were a little late to the red carpet event, but they did manage to catch an interview with Jennifer Anniston.”
Andrew and Emily sat at a table with employees from A&E and History Channel, very close to the action and surrounded by some of the biggest names in film.
As the event came to a close, the limousine came back to take them to the after party at the Hollywood Athletic Club, which was started back in 1924. Each room had separate themes and different music. Emily and Andrew wandered around and even chatted with Anthony Quinonez, who played Zero in the Academy Award nominated film, The Grand Budapest Hotel.
A huge thanks to A&E and History Channel for donating this experience as an item for The Mission Continues Veterans Day Gala silent auction, and for making one hell of a Christmas gift for Sally’s grandchildren.
