Fulfillment Fund to Honor Universal Filmed Entertainment Chairman, Jeff Shell, at the 22nd STARS Benefit Gala

LOS ANGELES, May 18, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Fulfillment Fund, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping Los Angeles students overcome obstacles to achieve a college education, will honor Universal Filmed Entertainment Group Chairman, Jeff Shell, with the Tom Sherak Award at the Stars 2016 Benefit Gala on November 2^nd, 2016.  After 21 years in a hotel ballroom, the STARS Gala will be held at Universal Studios Hollywood's Globe Theater and attendees will be given an exclusive opportunity to explore the theme park's newest experience, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™.

During Shell's tenure at Universal, the Studio has evolved to break numerous industry records, with 2015 marking the highest-grossing domestic, international and worldwide box office of any single year in any studio's history. Last year became the first time any studio has had three films cross a billion dollars at the worldwide box office, with Furious 7, Jurassic World and Minions all reaching that milestone.

An advocate for education, Shell serves on the Board of several non-profit groups and is an active leader in a number of organizations that are working on public school reform. 

"We are incredibly honored to recognize Jeff Shell at this year's STARS Gala," says Fulfillment Fund CEO Kenny Rogers. "As a Los Angeles native and product of public education, Jeff is deeply invested in the city where he grew up.  He has been working to improve educational opportunities for Los Angeles students for decades, and we are grateful for his and Universal's long-standing friendship and philanthropic leadership."

The award is a tribute to Tom Sherak, former President of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, a Hollywood executive and philanthropist who served on the Fulfillment Fund Board of Directors for 20 years and guided the creation of the STARS Gala into a multi-million dollar annual fundraiser for the Fulfillment Fund.  

"As a long-time supporter and fan of the Fulfillment Fund's programs, I am delighted to serve as this year's honoree," commented Shell.  "I believe that every child deserves a high-quality education, and the students of Los Angeles are lucky to have Dr. Gary Gitnick and the Fulfillment Fund organization working to make that a reality."

Now in its 22^nd year, the Fulfillment Fund's STARS Gala has honored Mark Gordon (2015), Ryan Kavanaugh (2014), Chris Meledandri (2013), Rob Moore (2012), Rich Ross (2011), James Gianopulos (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 Lauran Huff of Levy Pazanti & Huff at (310) 201-5033 x3 or visit www.fulfillment.org/stars.

Serving the Los Angeles community for 39 years, the Fulfillment Fund makes college a reality for students growing up in educationally and economically under-resourced communities. By providing a college access curriculum, college counseling, mentoring, scholarships and other individualized support, the Fulfillment Fund helps students get to college and realize their educational dreams. Nine in 10 Fulfillment Fund high school graduates go on to college, compared to only five in 10 low-income high school graduates nationally.

Risa Chapnick & Ariana Swan | [email protected] | 818-305-6053

SOURCE The Fulfillment Fund

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http://www.fulfillment.org