 From left: Leslie Resnick, Keith Resnick and Joanne Cacciatore-Garard |
I first ‘met’ Keith just following a national talk show that I had appeared on sharing about the Kindness Project and the impact of infant death. Keith’s young daughter, Lili Claire, died in 1998 at nearly six months of age due to complications from heart surgery. She was born with Williams Syndrome, a neurogenetic birth anomaly. In an effort to help others and to honor their daughter, the Resnick’s began to educate and raise awareness for their cause. Keith shared their mission, quite similar to the MISS Foundation, and a long distance friendship blossomed. When the opportunity to meet Keith and his wife, Leslie, came about, I was very excited that I’d finally meet these special people who I had known only from a distance.
The event was incredible. It was held at the Mirage Resort Hotel. Highlights of the evening included special guest appearances by Jane Kaczmarek (Malcolm in the Middle), Bradley Whitford (The West Wing), Matt LeBlanc (Friends), Marg Helgenberger (C.S.I.), Holly Robinson Peete (For Your Love) and Kevin Sorbo (Andromeda) featured at a cocktail reception and a silent & live auction hosted by Jeff Probst (Survivor).
Danny Gans performed one of the most entertaining acts I’ve ever seen and at the end of the evening they hosted a reception featuring rock bands Coolio, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, and The Young Dubliners. I even got a chance to sit and chat with my childhood hero, Angie Dickinson.
While the food was magnificent, the people were beautiful, and the décor was awesome, the most unforgettable part of the evening was finally meeting Keith and Leslie, parents of beautiful Lili Claire. Not only did we have so much in common by experience, but also the Resnick’s have done so much to change the world. It was an honor to finally meet them.
With our missions so closely aligned, we are discovering new ways to work together and reach out to more communities and families in need. To the Resnick's, Keith and Leslie- thank you for the wonderful time in Vegas, thank you for your kindness and generosity to MISS, and mostly, thank you for sharing the gift of Lili Claire.
