As some of you may know from visiting Housequake.com, we held a fundraising drive to purchase a sponsorship for HQ at Sheila E's charity event that was held last night in Los Angeles, CA. It was a celebrity bowling tournament to benefit Elevate Hope (http://www.elevatehope.org). On behalf of HQ, 87 people donated $2,500; enough to purchase a sponsorship to the event and allow a few Quakers to attend.

The event was loads of fun! It was held at Jillian's, a bowling alley in Universal City (next to Universal Studios). We arrived at 3:30 and the Red Carpet was just getting underway. We saw Sheila arrive with her Mom, Dad, Lynn Mabry (EH co-founder) and DJ Rashida. We also saw some television celebrities arrive (more on that later). We were allowed in at 4pm and arrived at the registration tables, only to be told that we were actually going to bowl! We had thought the bowling would be for the celebs so we were excited to have something to do instead of just gawking at them all night.

Before we headed to bowl, we decided we should go meet Sheila before the place really filled up. Sheila was wearing a really pretty Asian dress over some jeans and bowling shoes, she looked lovely and appropriately sporty for the theme. I introduced myself and said we were from HQ, she gave me a big hug, saying thanks so much for the support, and moved down the line to hug all of us. I also handed her a HQ messenger bag full of HQ goodies like tshirts, hats and a mug. She was happy to pose for a picture with us too which you can see below. We were thrilled!

So we then headed to our lane where we were teamed up with some nice people who were part of the event, including another HQ member who had come all the way from Philadelphia for the event. I realized much later in the night that Jill Jones was also across from us, as in 5 feet away, the entire time we were bowling. But she looked so different that I didn't recognize her. She looked fabulous!

There were 10 lanes of bowling action, so the place was bopping. There were big screens over the lanes where they rotated sponsor logos, including HQ, and variosu videos of Sheila doing things with kids at EH events. DJ Rashida started spinning around 5 so the music was thumping. No Prince or Sheila E. played though, but we got to hear a much more current, hip-hop flavor of her spinning. Sheila was bopping around from lane to lane, saying hi, and being the hostess with the mostest. She popped into the DJ booth a couple of times to shout out at all of us. The place was filled with TV celebrities from the television shows Heroes (I think the whole cast was there!), Grey's Anatomy (James Pickens, Jr.), CSI and Ugly Betty. The celebs were very friendly, happy to pose for pics, sign autographs etc. Hayden Panettiere made a brief appearance toward the end of the night but didn't bowl.

Suffice to say we were not the greatest bowlers in the world, but we managed a few strikes and spares and had a lot of fun with our new teammates. Once we finished bowling our game, the next group came in and bowled, so we retired to the bar area to hang out and see what was going on. We got a better look at the celebs that were there and Anh didn't hesitate to snap pics with a few. Mr. Pete Escovedo was at the table next to us so I went over and said hello. Could be be any sweeter? He told me later in the night that the high school in his hometown of Pittsburgh, CA was honoring him by naming a scholarship after him and that he'd be playing a concert at the high school in the coming week in celebration. Go Pete! Sheila's mom was there too along with her sister who seemed to be helping out with the event.

Towards the end of the night, Sheila and Lynn got on the mic to say thanks and give out the prizes to the top bowlers. Sheila read off the list of sponsors to thank them and when she got to Housequake, she gave a little extra shoutout to us (see the video). There were 11 kids there from the newest charity that EH is supporting, Vista del Mar Child and Family Services (http://www.vistadelmar.or...index.html), so Sheila and Lynn gave out prizes to the top bowlers among them. The girl with the best score got a new Mac laptop! She was super excited. Then they moved onto the adults. There were 6 prizes in total. Lo and behold, I took fourth place with the measly score of 140, winning a set of SHURE noise-cancelling headphones (thanks EH!). I hooted and hollered and went up to collect my prize and got to pose for another pic. While I was up there someone from EH shouted out "Go Housequake!". A painting by Pete Escovedo was also given out as one of the prizes. And a guy won the grand prize - a trip for two to the Bahamas - with his score of 157. Who knew I would be so close to winning a vacation?! LOL.

After that we hung out for a bit, just chatting and meeting some people. We said our goodbyes and went down the street for some Sushi dinner. All in all, a really fun evening and event. EH did a great job and everyone I talked to really enjoyed themselves. It was great meeting Sheila E. and being able to represent HQ while we were there.

Way to go everyone from HQ for pulling together and supporting Sheila and her great cause!!!

[Sorry in advance for the crappy pics - it was kind of dark in the bowling alley!]

Sbacon1999, Mrs.Nelson and Anh with Sheila E.



Posing with the sweetest guy in the room, Pete Escovedo



Sheila E. calling everyone to gather around for awards



The best bowler from Vista del Mar wins a new Mac laptop!



DJ Rashida getting thanks from Lynn Mabry



The Housequake logo that rotated on the big screens. The message below said "Keep up the great work Sheila! From your friends at Housequake"



The painting by Pete Escovedo that was given away as a prize



Anh poses with Masi Oka from Heroes



A short video where Sheila E. thanks Housequake as a sponsor:
http://www.sarahbacon.com...equake.wmv


[Edited 10/1/07 22:10pm]

all hail to H O U S E Q U A K E . C O M

Thanks for the report

Thanks for sharing sbacon. Sounds like you and the others represented Housequake well and had fun doing it. Sheila is pure class. I'm sad that the timing of the bowling event ended up coinciding with the Housequake hiatus, but I hope you'll be able to post it there next week so that everyone who contributed can see the pics, too. (In case they miss them here.)

I love everything about this. Love the event itself and how goodhearted and classy Sheila is, love the outfit she was rockin', love your description of the whole night, and I love you for posting it. Thanks, and I'm so happy for you!

Thank you for sharing such wonderful experience and postin the pics.. Good job my child !!!! Sheila is such a cutie

Thanks a lot for sharing this:) Welldone! Seemed as if you really had a great evening!

thanks for sharing.

Sheila is such a lovely person full of positive energy. Go on, girl.