Fulfillment Fund to Honor Rich Ross, Chairman of the Walt Disney Studios, at Stars 2011 Benefit Gala

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Fulfillment Fund, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping promising yet under-resourced Los Angeles students graduate from high school and complete college, will honor Rich Ross, Chairman of The Walt Disney Studios, at the STARS 2011 Benefit Gala on November 1 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.  Acclaimed film and television producer Jerry Bruckheimer; Creative Artists Agency Managing Partner Kevin Huvane; Principal Partner/Co-Chairman/CEO, DreamWorks Studios, Stacey Snider; and Co-Chairman, Disney Media Networks, and President, Disney-ABC Television Group, Anne Sweeney will serve as dinner co-chairs.

"Our organization is so fortunate to have such extraordinary and dedicated supporters who have demonstrated a long-standing commitment as role models for civic involvement and at-risk youth," said Andrea Cockrum, CEO of the Fulfillment Fund.  "Their vision, generosity and devotion enable us to provide the skills and tools to help promising students from high-poverty neighborhoods achieve their dreams and succeed academically and personally."

As Chairman of The Walt Disney Studios, Rich oversees films from Disney, Pixar and Marvel, as well as marketing and distribution for films from the independently owned DreamWorks Studios. He also supervises Disney's music and theatrical divisions. Before joining the Studios, Rich served as President of Disney Channels Worldwide, where he fostered the unprecedented growth of Disney's global kids' TV business. Rich is incredibly passionate about youth education and mentoring programs – he has seen firsthand the impact of mentoring on his own life and is dedicated to making sure others have similar opportunities.

Now in its 17th year, the Fulfillment Fund's STARS Gala has honored James Gianopulos and Kathleen and Chip Rosenbloom (2010), Judd Apatow and Leslie Mann (2009), Thomas Tull (2008), Marc Shmuger (2007), Tom Rothman (2006), Brian Grazer (2005), Amy Pascal (2004), Paula and Sumner Redstone (2003), Megan and Peter Chernin, Sheri and Les Biller (2002), Jeffrey Katzenberg (2001), Robert Iger (2000), Edgar Bronfman, Jr. (1999), Rupert Murdoch (1998), Barbara Lazaroff and Wolfgang Puck (1997), Candy and Aaron Spelling (1996), Darlene and Steven Fogel and Jackie and Howard Banchik (1995).

For more information and to purchase tickets, please call LPA Events (310) 201-5033 or visit www.fulfillment.org.

For more than 34 years, the Fulfillment Fund has been dedicated to providing first-generation, low-income students in Los Angeles with the support necessary to graduate from high school, earn a college degree and become productive and successful members of society. Through classroom instruction, college counseling, mentoring and scholarships, the Fund transforms the lives of students. Fulfillment Fund students graduate high school at a rate of 85 percent, and of those who graduate, 91 percent go on to college.

SOURCE Fulfillment Fund