Richmond/Ermet AIDS Foundation Says 'Help Is On the Way'

On Sunday, July 26, The Richmond/Ermet Aid Foundation presents "Help Is On the Way XXI - Hollywood Glam," Northern California's largest annual fundraiser for Meals on Wheels San Francisco, and the San Francisco AIDS Foundation.

The event begins with a silent auction and VIP reception at 5 p.m. at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco. A pre-show gala reception featuring complimentary hors d'oeuvres, wine tasting, and margarita and martini bars follows. The concert will be held from 8:30-9:30 p.m., followed by a dessert and cocktail party with the cast.

"Help Is On the Way XXI - Hollywood Glam," is produced by The Richmond/Ermet Aid Foundation, founded by Barbara Richmond and the late Peggy Ermet in memory of their sons, John Richmond and Doug Ermet, who both lost their lives to AIDS. In 1995, the two women decided not to get mad but get even when they launched a musical AIDS benefit to honor their sons by raising funds for AIDS service organizations. To date REAF has raised well over $3 million dollars for AIDS services and, beginning in 2015 will also support hunger programs and programs for homeless and underserved youth.

Performers for this star-studded benefit include Lea Bourgade, Sony Holland, Scott Nevins, Salsamania, Paula West, Constantine Maroulis, John Lloyd Young, Carole Cook, Jai Rodriguez, Jake Simpson, Paula West and Loretta Devine. Equally at home on stage or on screen, EMMY award-winning actress Loretta Devine has created some of the most memorable roles in theatre, film and television.

Devine first captured national attention in the role of Lorrell, one of the three original "Dreamgirls" in Michael Bennett's classic award-winning Broadway musical of the same name. She followed that performance with a fiery portrayal of Lillian in Bob Fosse's critically acclaimed stage production "Big Deal." Subsequent work in George C. Wolfe's "Colored Museum" and "Lady Day at Emerson Bar and Grill," cemented Devine's status as one of the most talented and versatile stage actresses.

Film roles soon followed including a poignant turn as a single mother opposite Whitney Houston, Angela Bassett and Gregory Hines in "Waiting to Exhale" which earned her a NAACP Image Award for Best Supporting Actress. Devine also won an NAACP Image Award for Best Supporting Actress for her work in Penny Marshall's "The Preacher's Wife." Devine also received an IFP "Spirit" Award nomination for Best Actress for her work in "Women Thou Art Loosed." Devine was featured in the Academy Award-winning film "Crash" and the hit movie of "Dreamgirls."

Additional film credits include appearances in the successful "Urban Legend" franchise, "I Am Sam" opposite Michelle Pfeiffer and Sean Penn, "Kingdom Come," "What Women Want," "Punks," "Hoodlums," "Down in the Delta" and "Stanley and Iris." Devine also appeared in "Sticky Fingers," "Amos and Andrew," "The Breaks," "The Price of Kissing," "Lover Girl," "Class Act," "Living Large," "Caged Fear" and "Little Nikita" and "Dirty Laundry" In 2009 Devine co-starred in "This Christmas" and "First Sunday" both of which opened Number 1 at the box office. Ms. Devine voiced the character of Delta the chocolate brown toy poodle in "Beverly Hills Chihuahua" for Disney starring Drew Barrymore.

Devine appeared onscreen in several films in 2010 including the Sony Screen Gems remake of "Death At A Funeral" with Chris Rock, Martin Lawrence and Danny Glover and "Lottery Ticket" for Alcon/Warner Brothers. Most recently, Devine was seen onscreen in the Lionsgate film "For Colored Girls" directed by Tyler Perry and in 2011 she can be seen in "Jumping the Broom" with Paula Patton, Laz Alonso and Angela Bassett and in another Tyler Perry directed film "Madea's Big Happy Family."

On television, Devine can currently be seen in her EMMY winning role as "Adele" the chief's wife on ABC's hit medical drama "Grey's Anatomy." Devine has recurred on numerous series the most recent includes ABC's "Eli Stone" which had a two season run and she received three NAACP Image Awards for her role on David E. Kelly's Fox series "Boston Public." Additional credits include series roles in "A Different World" and Lifetime Television's "Wild Card." Devine also provided the voice of Muriel Stubbs on the beloved animated series, "The PJ's."

"Help Is On the Way" will be held at 5 p.m. on Sunday, July 26 at the Palace of Fine Arts, 3301 Lyon St. in San Francisco. Tickets begin at $75. For information or tickets, call 415-273-1620 or visit www.reaf.org