CoachArt to Honor Walt Disney Company Executive Vice President Kevin Mayer and Los Angeles Clippers Player Matt Barnes at the 2014 Gala of Champions

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 8, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- CoachArt, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit organization that provides arts and recreational opportunities to youth with chronic and life-threatening illnesses, will honor Walt Disney Company Executive Vice President Kevin Mayer and Los Angeles Clippers basketball player Matt Barnes at the annual Gala of Champions on Oct. 16 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. ESPN television anchor Sage Steele will host this year's celebration, recognizing Mayer and Barnes with "CoachArt Champion" awards for their philanthropic leadership in transforming and improving the lives of youth impacted by chronic illnesses.

The event will bring together business leaders, digital media, entertainment executives, community members, volunteers and CoachArt families to celebrate thirteen years of impact. The evening will include a cocktail reception in the Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams VIP Networking Lounge, Gala dinner and event program and an after party. The Gala will acknowledge the influence and commitment of supporters throughout the decade and honor this year's award winners.

"The 2014 honorees have made a great impact on CoachArt children as well as their communities," said Dr. Kara Allen Soldati, Executive Director of CoachArt. "We are delighted to recognize the achievements of the well-deserved CoachArt Champions at the 10th Annual Gala."

For the last thirteen years, CoachArt has connected children with volunteers to provide free lessons in the arts and athletics. In 2014 alone, CoachArt's highly-skilled volunteers will provide 20,000 free lesson hours to more than 2,000 children. CoachArt's unique program creates a transformative and inclusive community for children impacted by chronic illness. Through participation, siblings and patients alike build increased confidence, optimism, and self-esteem. Currently, CoachArt works with more than 1,500 volunteer coaches and community partners to serve nearly 2,000 students annually.

In 2013, the Gala drew more than 600 attendees that helped raise nearly $900,000. Honorees included executives from United Talent Agency and TV anchors Robin Roberts and her sister Sally-Ann Roberts.

Multiple sponsorship opportunities are still available for the 2014 Gala. For additional information regarding sponsorship opportunities or tickets for the Gala of Champions, go to http://coachart.org/gala/ or contact Cherie Carter at [email protected].  

About Kevin Mayer
Kevin Mayer is the Executive Vice President of Corporate Strategy and Business Development at The Walt Disney Company, where he oversees Disney's strategic acquisitions of Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, Club Penguin, and Maker Studios. He also managed Disney's global investment in India with Hungama and UTV. Mayer and his team handled the divestitures of Miramax and ABC Radio. He previously held positions as partner and head of the Global Media and Entertainment practice at L.E.K. Consulting LLC and Chairman and CEO of Clear Channel Interactive. Mayer first joined Disney in 1993 as manager of Strategic Planning where he spearheaded strategy and business development for all of Disney's interactive/Internet and television businesses worldwide.

About Matt Barnes
Matt Barnes is a professional athlete who plays for the Los Angeles Clippers. He previously played for the Memphis Grizzlies, Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks, and Los Angeles Lakers, before joining the Clippers in 2012. In 2013, Barnes was named Defensive Player of the Year for the Los Angeles Clippers. In 2001, Barnes was an All-Pacific-10 Honorable Mention selection, during his tenure at the University of California Los Angeles, where he played four seasons of college basketball.  Matt founded the nonprofit organization Athletes vs. Cancer to educate and bring awareness to communities and motivate people to get regular cancer screenings, as well as provide experiences for teen and young adult cancer patients. 

About Coach Art
CoachArt provides a transformative learning community for children impacted by chronic illness by providing no-cost lessons in the arts and athletics. CoachArt was founded in 2000 by Zander Lurie and Leah Bernthal, in memory of Zander's father, Dr. Arthur Lurie, a cardiac surgeon who recognized the need for long-term support and enrichment amongst the pediatric patient population. Today, CoachArt offers high-quality arts and athletics activities to over 2,000 children in the Los Angeles and San Francisco Bay Areas with the support of 1,500 volunteers and community partners.  To find out how to become involved with CoachArt as a volunteer or participate in the activities, please visit http://www.CoachArt.org or call (213) 736-2850.

Media Contact
Lily Gluzberg
(323) 202-1415
[email protected]

SOURCE CoachArt