Russell Simmons,
his brother Danny Simmons and Rush
Philanthropic Arts helped to raise over $575,000 dollars this past Saturday
(April 5) during their Art For Life Miami Beach fundraiser. The exclusive
fundraising event honored Wyclef Jean,
John Legend, financial expert Suze
Orman and real estate developer R.
Donahue Peebles.

The event was held at The Bath Club on Miami Beach and was
attended by a number of celebrities, including Miami Heat players Dwyane Wade, Alonzo Mourning, and Ricky Davis, NFL Player Larry Johnson; film director and Miami
native Brett Ratner, Scott Stapp of
Creed and his wife Jaclyn, designer Julian
Chang, comedian Pauly Shore,
Latin pop star Paulina Rubio among
others.

There were also a number of the guests that
pledged $1000 to sponsor a child to participate in the foundation’s arts
education program for a year during the evening. Bidders were awarded one gold
balloon for each child sponsored. Angelina
Jolie and Brad Pitt sponsored 5
Rush Kids and Dwyane Wade, Larry Johnson, Julissa
Bermudez, John Legend and Diddy
each sponsored 10 Rush Kids.

“With the recent government cuts in the arts education
programs, this event was wonderful and very necessary to raise funds to support
arts education projects in the Miami-Dade community,” said Allison Weiss Brady,
event Co-Chair, and Board Member, Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation.

A percentage of net proceeds for Art for Live Miami Beach
will go back into the Miami Dade County via grants to art programs for
disadvantaged youth.